Book 3: Heart Strings

Chapter 3: Pineapple

Heart Strings

Chapter 3

Pineapple

There was a roar of laughter from behind them. It would seem the younger monkeys found a pineapple and promptly began a game of 'tackle ball' which is just another way to say football for them. Tao looked up at the other males calling to one another. He looked up at Macaque and pointed to the other males.

"Not yet Tao. They'll run you over." Macaque chuckled, patting him on the tiny head. The tiny monkey pouted and sat back down in the water.

"It's okay Tao. You'll be able to play with them when you're older." Suna said picking up a hand full of sand and placing it onto her little sand mountain she made.

"I'm 2." he said holding up two fingers. Suna smiled and held up two of her own fingers.

"I am too." She smiled shoving the sand mountain into the water and looked up at Pigsy who sat down. He held out a piece of mango to the two kids. Tao was a bit more messy than Suna. But at least they were already in water.

"Come on Macaque!" MK called holding up the pineapple and wiggled his eyebrows. Macaque rolled his eyes and bit into a banana. "Alright, but you'll lose your chance..." Macaque looked over the brush.

"Chance?" Macaque chuckled looking at the female monkeys marveling at the males. Oh...now he understood. This wasn't just a game...it was a courting ritual. Macaque looked over the heads of the females to see Wukong leaning back against his throne. Yeah, okay...lets show off.

"Macaque..." Tyla called from her spot next to the water. "Remember...he already knows what you're capable of...so instead of completely owning the younger ones...show him you can be a king. Show him, you can help the boys...teach them." She looked up at Macaque who suddenly realized he had been doing nothing but the opposite most of his life. No wonder Wukong shunned him.

"Yeah, okay..." Was Tyla playing matchmaker?

"So you're helping them now huh?" Pigsy asked looking at Tang who held out a piece of mango to a very tiny monkey who only had two teeth.

"Yeah...at least I'll have one dad who's worth a damn." Tyla shoved a piece of banana in her mouth before turning away from the spectacle.

"Damn, that's harsh Tyla." Pigsy said looking up as the males began to huddle around Macaque before pulling back and getting into line.

"That pineapple is going to get all mushed up by the time they're finished." Yomi said climbing out of the water and jumping when a monkey jumped out of a tree in front of her. His nose was so close it grazed hers. He jumped seeing Tyla growl, but she stopped when she saw Tao climb onto a rock and beat his chest.

"Daww is that your boyfriend?!" He asked and laughed glaring down at the little monkey. Tao got angry being poked fun at.

"Nope, that's my nephew." Yomi said motioning back to Tao who jumped up socking the other monkey in the jaw. Yomi looked thunder struck at this, she had no idea Tao had the capacity to do such a thing. The other monkey looked at his hand and gasped seeing the blood from his nose.

"Tao..." Tyla said as she watched the other monkey yell and cry as he ran away.

Macaque raced over and looked down at Tyla who picked up Tao.

"Is he alright?" Macaque asked. His shirt was missing, probably flexing in front of Wukong.

"Your son just punched another full on the mouth for sassing off to his Aunt." Tyla said. Yomi was blushing as she looked up at Macaque.

"Did he hurt you?" Macaque jumped hearing Wukongs question.

"N...No he almost did though, challenged me by jumping in front of me." Yomi said, sitting back down on the rocks.

"You did train him to be a guardian." Wukong motioned to the others to go back to playing their game. Macaque patted his son on the back.

"Good job kiddo, but I think you interrupted a potential courter."

'I want him...' Tang heard in his head. 'I want the one called the six-eared Macaque. He would make an excellent puppet.'