CHAPTER FIVE

Friday had come quicker than any of the people going to the party could comprehend. Raimundo was dressed in a tight yellow and black fox racing t-shirt and baggy black pants with a yellow belt holding them up. Clay had opted on wearing a new pair of jeans, new cowboy boots that were dark brown leather, and a shirt sleeved black t-shirt with the saying "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy" in white block lettering, he also had a new dark brown cowboy hat sitting on top of his head. Omi though was at a lost of what he was going to wear until the last minute. A short sleeved red plain t-shirt over a long sleeved plain white shirt. Black shorts with a red and white striped belt held the shorts up and black and red converse shoes sat on his feet. Raimundo had even gotten Omi a red and white bandana, which Omi tied, around his head.

Dojo grew to his normal size and all three monks with there bags of gifts hopped on. Kimiko sat off in a corner pounding away at her laptop, a nasty glare on her face. The boys paid her no mind; way to excited to get to the party.

Chase had been ready for the party nearly an hour ago and was now waiting on Wuya to get ready so they could teleport to the Djose Highroad for the party. Wuya for her part was currently fighting with the ties of the top she had chosen to wear. The corset plum colored top was being very difficult to tie. Though it took her a while to get it, a half in hour later, Wuya stood with the plum corset top tied and a black pearl necklace hanging down in between her cleavage. A mini skirt of crinalin and silk stopped mid thigh and just onto of the thigh high black fishnet stockings, on her feet were simple ankle high boots which spike high heels. She adjusted her self in her mirror before going out and meeting Chase. A small box wrapped in plum and black wrapping paper with a blood red ribbon, sat in her hands. Chase rolled his eyes at the witch and turned towards the plain gold colored box at his side.

"Ready to go now?" Wuya nodded and walked over to Chase. Without a second thought both Heylin warriors disappeared.

Jack was staring at the front of the Djose Temple with a very bored expression. He was forced into wearing clothing his mother had picked out for him and was currently fusing with the tie he was wearing. His father having seen the short-sleeved white t-shirt with the bright red tie with the dark red pants had nearly laughed himself silly. Jack had flushed brightly and had stormed away from the man. So now he was staring at the front of the Temple where red, blue, and orange streamers and balloons hung around along with colored Christmas lights. Off to the side sat a very long table with all sorts of foods. Six different pasta dishes, ham, suck, turkey, roast beef, lobster, shrimp, chicken, several salads (fruit, pasta, egg, roman, chicken, caesar, macaroni), and tons of deserts (vanilla, chocolate, and butterscotch pudding; sugar, peanut butter, chocolate chip, and mint cookies; brownies with and without nuts; chocolate, mint, caramel, and vanilla fudge; apple, banana cream, pumpkin, cherry, blueberry, and chocolate pie). Jack smiled and waved to one of the cooks before said cook disappeared back into a very large white tent that was set up behind the table. Turning around to face another direction, Jack noticed his Aunt Lulu walking over towards him holding in her hands a red sleeveless t-shirt.

"Thought you might want to be more comfortable for your birthday party." Jack nodded and took the shirt with a bright smile. Lulu bent down and kissed his head softly before pushing him towards the building (once a souvenir shop) near the temple. He quickly removed the tie and unbuttoned the white shirt. Then he pulled on the t-shirt which was red had a picture of Ixion on the front. After that he pulled the white button up shirt back on and left it unbuttoned.

As he was walking out of the building he took the time to tie the red tie around his head so his hair would not fall into his eyes. The tie worked perfectly like that anyways. When that was finished he could hear the sound of small-healed feet running towards him. He watched as his little sister ran towards him wearing lavender, white, and black dress, black Mary Jane shoes, and her white hair following in the wind. Jack opened his arms and let the small girl jumping into them. He lifted her up and kissed her cheek and she wrapped her arms around his neck nuzzling her head into his neck.

"Happy Birthday Jonnie." Suigintou's voice was as soft as ever and Jack smiled brightly at her. "Mother said that I am suppose to stay with you." Jack nodded and shifted his sister. The party had started only ten minutes ago and most of the guests had arrived. His Aunts Yuna, Rikku, and Lulu were helping his mother inside the Temple set up the table with all the birthday gifts and the table that displayed his cake. His Uncles Tidus, and Wakka were currently off to one side setting up what looked like a set of goals to play their game of Blitzball. His Uncle Baralai, Nooj, and his father were helping some of the servers set up the tables to eat at, and Jack was sure that Leblanc and Ashley had gone off to check their makeup somewhere. Megan was currently leaning over the small bridge up the road looking down at the river that flowed below it, squealing whenever a fish jumped out of the water.

Jack was starting to get worried, his "friends" had yet to show up, though Rikku's crew hadn't shown up yet either. Jack felt Suigintou tug gently at his shirt collar and he looked down at her to see her pointing towards the bridge where Megan was currently hugging a tall tanned man. It was Brother, Rikku's older brother. Jack sighed and walked over to great the man, his best friend Buddy, and Shinra. The three men smiled towards Jack and then stepped aside to reveal an older man with bright blue goggles on his head and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Suigintou squealed and hopped out of Jack's arms before he could react and had launched herself at the older man. The man laughed and threw down his cigarette to catch the girl in his arms.

"Well I'll be damned. Little Suigi, I hardly recognized you. You've gotten so damn big!" Suigintou giggled at the older man and Jack walked up to him and let the man pull him into a hug. "Jonnie Boy! Happy birthday kid!" Jack smiled and hugged the man before he was released and let Suigintou climb back into his arms.

"Hello Papa Cid. I wasn't told you were coming. It's a great surprise!" The old man laughed and ruffled Jack's hair before looking off towards where Jack's mom had just exited the Temple. The man smiled brightly and waved before heading off to talk to Jack's mom. The man was Rikku and Brother's father, Cid. A retired mechanic who lived on a resort on a small island called Bikanel. Jack rarely seen the man and was truly happy that he was able to come to his party. Buddy slapped Jack on the back before wondering off to see his father with Brother. Shinra stayed close by and smiled towards Jack.

"We thought it might be a great gift to bring him. Seeing as you don't get the chance to see him as much as everyone knows you want to." Shinra's voice was soft and muffled as his coat covered up most of his face. Jack nodded and went to reply when he heard his cousin Megan scream out and cling to his leg.

"Hag Lady!" Jack couldn't help but burst into laughter at that and turned to see Wuya fuming nearby. Shinra inched away waving to Jack before slinking off to join Gippal, Buddy, and Brother. Jack moved Suigintou slightly and patted Megan's head. The little girl stuck her tongue out at Wuya who then copied the younger girl. Chase cleared his throat and Jack felt Suigintou burry her face into his neck.

"I'm glad you two could make it. It means a lot to me." Chase gave a small sort of smile and Wuya shrugged, moving the box in her hands.

"It gave us an excuse to relax Jackie. But what's really interesting is that I didn't know you were so good with kids." Wuya tiled his head to stare at Suigintou who was staring back at the Heylin witch with narrowed eyes. Wuya took a step back and gulped, and Chase narrowed his own gold eyes at the little girl. Jack smirked and shifts the little girl in his arms. Megan had run off to watch the fish again so he didn't need to worry about her.

"This is my little sister, Suigintou. Suigi, this is Chase Young and Wuya." The small girl in Jack's arms waved her little hand at the two before resting her head onto Jack's shoulder. Chase nodded his head slightly in a small bow and Wuya smiled as sweetly as she could.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Suigintou. You are one very beautiful little girl. Also like a living doll." Chase stepped up closer to Jack and Suigintou and moved a hand close to them both. Suigintou buried her head into Jack's shoulder and Jack blinked. Chase's hand moved towards Jack's hair and a frown marred his features. "I was not aware that you had just white hair Spicer." Jack could only nod his head as Jack ran his fingers through his hair. Wuya came up and inspected the hair and smiled before placing a kiss on Jack's cheek.

"You look fabulous Jackie. Now where do we put these gifts, cause I am sick of carrying it around." Wuya held up the gift and Jack was about to answer her when a deep laughing voice spoke from behind him.

"There's a table inside the temple for any gifts. You can set it there if you'd like." Jack turned his head and smiled at his father. The man had his arms crossed over his chest and had a bright smile on his face. "Jack I believe you should introduce your friends now." Jack nodded and cleared his throat.

"Dad this is Chase Young and Wuya, guys this is my father Gippal." Chase bowed his head and Jack watched his father blink in surprise.

"It is a pleasure and an honor to meet my best friends father at last. I take it you are responsible for teaching Jack how to make the wonderful and ingenious gadgets that he has used in the past?"

"Well I can't take all the credit. My whole family has helped Jack at one point or another with his mechanics. It runs in our family." Jack was surprised when his father placed a hand on his head to ruffle his hair and give him a proud smile. "He's made all of the family very proud of him." Jack's face heated up and bowed his head. He couldn't believe his ears; his father was giving him praise. And not only that, but he was doing it in front of Chase Young, who had just told his father that they were Best Friends! "Now, who is this loving plum at your side Jack?"

"I am Wuya, and it's a great pleasure to meet you. I can see now where Jackie gets all of his good looks." Wuya bowed her head and giggled as Jack's face lit up once more with a blush. Gippal cleared his throat and rubbed at the back of his head.

"Well I don't know about all the good looks thing. I think he looks more like his mother." Wuya gave another giggle before Gippal offered her his arm and started to lead her away. "Come my dear, let me show you the way to the table to relieve you of that gift.

Jack rolled his eyes as Wuya giggled again. She was flirting with his father as if it was nothing. Suigintou poked Jack in the neck once and Jack looked back to Chase who was watching him with weary eyes. Jack blushed slightly before smiling softly.

"Thanks for that Chase. It really means a lot to me." Chase nodded his head before motioning for Jack to lead the way to the temple. Jack noticed that Chase was holding a rather big box and blushed seemed to darken. "You didn't have to get me anything Chase. Just being here is plenty."

"Though I did not entirely approve of your hero worship of me Spicer, I do consider you a friend." Chase looked to the little girl in Jack's arms and then back up to Jack. "And I must admit your inventions have proved to come in handy." Jack nodded and turned to head towards the temple. On the way he grabbed Megan's shirt to pull her off of the railing for the bridge. She pouted but stood on her tiptoes to look over the edge.

Once at the Temple doors Jack could hear Wuya talking to his mother and Aunts. He took a deep breath and stepped through the door, Chase walking in behind him. Jack pointed towards the gift table, which was already mostly full, and watched Chase walk over and set the box on the ground near the end of the table before walking back to join him. Jack cleared his throat and watched as his Aunt Rikku was the first to bounce over to him.

"Jackie, who's your cute friend?" Jack couldn't help rolling his eyes. His Aunt Rikku could never help herself around most people, and she could never dress appropriately for a party. She was currently clad in an yellow bikini top with orange around the edges, and a brown mini skirt. Her hair hung around her head in multiple braids with a bright blue bandana holding them back from her face. Jack stopped Chase and waited for his other Aunts, Leblanc, Nooj, Brother, Buddy, Shinra, Uncles, and his mother had all turned to Jack.

"Guys this is Chase Young, my best friend." Chase bowed deeply to everyone and Jack smiled brightly. Suigintou climbed out of his arms as Jack's mom walked over. "Chase this is my mother, Paine." The tall woman was wearing her outfit from work with her hair spiked up. Jack gulped as he watched his mom circle Chase with a blank look on her face. She stopped in front of him and crossed her arms over her chest.

"So you're Chase. Jonathan speaks very fondly of you." Chase nodded his head and watched the woman in front of him. Jack could see that he was a bit uncomfortable but knew Chase wouldn't let it show. "I am glad to see my son has such wonderful friends." With a soft smile Jack watched his mom walk away going to adjust some of the cards and pictures that adorned the cake table. Jack took a deep breath and watched as most of his family went back to doing other things and Wuya walked over to him. Suigintou held in her arms, the little girl had a soft smile on her face as she admired the black pearl necklace Wuya was wearing.

"The man in the bright yellow half shirt and jean overalls is my Uncle Tidus, and the woman with the short brown hair is my Aunt Yuna. They are Megan's parents." Jack stated as he pointed out his family members to his friends. "The red haired man with the yellow pants is my Uncle Wakka, and the black haired woman in the odd looking belt dress, is my Aunt Lulu. The teen sitting behind them is my cousin Vidina. The blonde woman talking with Ashley is Leblanc and the man next to them is Nooj." Jack felt someone behind him and turned to smile at the green glad white haired man behind him. "This is my Uncle Baralai and Rikku is his wife." Baralai bowed slightly before pulling Jack into a one armed hug. Rikku was near by watching with a giant smile on her face.

"Jonathan, I was hopping you would accompany me to a service next weekend in Kilika. I am giving a very interesting speech to some of the children in the area and thought you might enjoy it." Jack blinked at his uncle and was about to tell him he couldn't make it when Rikku stepped between them with a stern look on her face.

"Lai you know better than anyone that Jackie isn't interest in Yevon or anything that it stands for." Baralai hung his head and sighed before running a hand through his hair. Jack could tell that his Uncle was a bit heart broken by his wives words but still kept a soft smile on his face.

"If it isn't to much of a bother, I believe Jack and I would be very interested in attending your speech Baralai. That is if you don't mind a Xiaolin Monk like myself attending." Jack blinked and looked over to Chase with wide eyes. He couldn't believe that the man would want to attend something like the speech. Baralai seemed pleased with that and nodded his head before bowing and being lead away by Rikku who was yelling at him for asking Jack such a thing at his birthday. Jack looked back to Chase and frowned.

"You aren't serious about going are you? I can hardly imagine you attending a Yevon service." Chase narrowed his eyes at Jack but was cut off as Suigintou grabbed at Jack's shirt.

"Jonnie…" Jack looked over to Suigintou and smiled at her before taking her from Wuya. The little girl then pointed out the door and towards a flash of green in the sky. "I think I just seen a flying snake." Jack smiled and shook his head slightly before heading outside. He heard Wuya behind him hiss slightly and Chase snort before both of them followed him outside. Jack felt himself relax greatly when he exited the Temple to see the three male Xiaolin Monks hop off of Dojo. His party could now officially begin!