CHAPTER NINE

Dinner was interesting to say the least. Jack's parents had set it up so Jack and all of his friends had a table to them selves while there was another table near by for his parents, sister, Aunt Yuna and Uncle Tidus, Megan, Aunt Lulu, Uncle Wakka, Aunt Rikku and Uncle Baralai; then another table for Leblanc, Nooj, Ashley, Brother, Buddy, Shinra, his cousin Vidina, and his Grandpa Cid.

At first everything seemed pretty normal. Suigintou had put up a fight of having to sit with her parents instead of her brother. And after her salad was finished, and made herself comfortable in Jack's lap and ate off of his plate. Omi and Chase had taken to talking about different marshal arts moves, Wuya had turned to talk to Lulu, Clay and Shinra were talking again and Clay was making a big deal about how great the food was, his parents had opened talk about Christmas with the rest of his family.

The real problem started when Dojo had started shaking. Suigintou had started crying and didn't stop until Jack reassured her that Dojo wasn't dieing and was just fine. The monk's had all bit into their bottom lips and Chase and Wuya had glanced towards Jack's parents. Jack was going to make an excuse for Dojo's behavior when Ashley had spoke up.

"So I take it your going to ditch the party and take off in search of the new Wu Jack?" Jack glared over at her and then sunk down in his seat when his parents had glared at him. Wuya and Chase seemed to want to pounce on Ashley but were stopped when Omi spoke up, gently tapping the sides of his mouth with a napkin.

"It is not necessary for anyone to leave the party. The new Shen Gong Wu can wait for another day." Jack sighed and mentally made a note to give Omi the biggest hug in the world. Paine and Gippal had shrugged off the mention of the Shen Gong Wu and went back to their discussion. Chase had settled back in his chair and Wuya looked as if she was about to have a heart attack. Suigintou had grabbed Dojo and was hugging him and asking if he wanted more pie, and Raimundo had grabbed Jack's hand and was rubbing his thumb over the pale boys knuckles. Ashley however was fuming. Pushing back her chair she stood up and ignored her mother's hissing voice telling her to sit back down.

"Well if none of you are going after it, then I will!" Ashley then marched away from the table and headed in off towards the Djose Highroad. Jack couldn't help himself and started to poke at the apple pie in front of him a smirk on his pale face.

"And how do you suppose you'll find the Wu Ash-Ley?" Jack's voice was just as snotty and high pitched, as it always was when he teased the blonde cat lover. Jack was not disappointed when Ashley had turned around bright red in the face and had stalked back to her seat and flopped down and stuffed half of a piece of pie in her mouth. Raimundo stuffed some pie in his mouth to stop himself from laughing out right. Suigintou looked happy and was giggling quietly. Omi was very confused and Chase looked very smug. Wuya was giggling along with Suigintou and Clay had simply rolled his eyes. Jack on the other hand had leaned back in his chair and laughed as loud as he could, causing his chair to tilt back.

Heading towards the ground Jack failed his arms trying to right himself. Chase was the fastest this time and had pulled Jack to his feet before the boy could get half way to the ground. Ashley who had started laughing when Jack was falling grumbled and hung her head and stared back at his pie. Paine glared at the back of Jack's head and he started rubbing the back of his neck as he thanked Chase for the save.

"Jonathan! Refrain from attempting to do yourself any more harm until AFTER the party!" Jack hung his head at his mother's tone and finished off his pie. Everyone went back to what they were currently doing, Suigintou pouted at being removed from Jack's lap after the tip over, Raimundo having grabbed hold of the little girl as Jack started to fall. Dojo had laid himself out over the table looking fat and very satisfied, Suigintou giggling at him and playing with the red fur on his tail.

When dinner was all over with, Tidus and Wakka had conned Raimundo into learning to play Blitzball while Jack was pulled away to talk to Chase and Wuya. Omi and Clay were interested in the game as well and had joined their fellow dragon in the game. Suigintou had silently followed her brother off to the side.

"I say we head out while everyone is busy to get the Wu." Wuya said while fiddling with the threads on her skirt. Chase had his arms crossed and eyes closed as the witch spoke. Jack shifted from foot to foot. He hadn't actually worked with either of the Heylin warriors in months and wasn't really sure he wanted to again, memories of their betrayals still very fresh in his mind.

"Actually Wuya, I don't think I have any interest in the Shen Gong Wu any more. I don't want to have to fight Raimundo, Omi, and Clay, and I certainly don't want to fight either of you. So, count me out." Jack was very proud of him self for saying it and would have smiled if Wuya hadn't looked so torn and confused. Chase was the one who shocked them both though.

"I agree with Jack. Though I will not be fighting with the Xiaolin Dragons, I am not going to fight against them." If possible Wuya looked even more torn and confused. Jack was sure she was fighting with herself mentally.

"If we don't fight for either side, what are we to do with our lives?" Wuya's voice was soft and dripped with her confusion. All three of them were silent for a long time before Jack heard the soft patter of feet and the white of his sister's hair. Suigintou clung to his leg with Dojo dangling from her shoulders. He leaned down and picked her up holding her close. The small dragon looking a bit confused at the three Heylin warriors in front of him.

"Hannibal Bean is still a major threat to the world. If you three stay neutral the Xiaolin Dragons might just have enough strength to defeat him." Dojo's voice was uncertain and Suigintou was nodding her head along with his thoughts. Though Jack was sure his little sister had no idea what they were talking about. Chase seemed to consider the thoughts and Wuya looked even more torn.

"Bean will forever be a thorn in my side. The sooner he is destroyed the better life shall be." Chase nodded his head to his own words and looked towards Wuya. The witch glanced to Suigintou before lowering her head.

"I have hunted the Shen Gong Wu for over 1500 years. I can't just stop." Jack bit into his bottom lip at hearing that. Dojo had tensed and Chase had frowned deeply. Suigintou however looked up at Wuya with deep ruby eyes and a soft smile.

"Why not just search for them and then put them up on display like mommy does with her swords?" Jack blinked down at his sister. She had a great idea. The Wu, though very powerful, are some of the most beautiful and odd-looking objects in the world. They would make great decorations in any home. Wuya seemed to accept this offer and then turned and headed back towards the Temple. Chase glanced at Jack and Suigintou and gave them a small smile.

"Her real interest is in fact a family. I've noticed how she keeps looking at Suigintou. There's a longing in her eyes that I have never seen before." Jack nodded at Chase and turned to walk with the man. If Wuya was in fact interested in starting a family, she had his support. He knew how much people could change when given something special like a child. He just hopped that Wuya would be able to find that someone special so she could start her family. As he walked with Chase he had a funny thought he decided to voice.

"Hey Chase, isn't Guan single?"