Book 3: Heart Strings

Chapter 6: All aboard

Heart Strings

Chapter 6

All aboard

Raya looked around as she watched for her sister. Yomi had her niece in her arms and her nephew behind her. Jin helped the other monkeys get out of the water. This attack was so abrupt and painful. A lot of the monkeys that got out of the water had injuries.

Raya spotted Tyla as she swam toward them. Tao on his fathers shoulders as he swam slowly so he didn't fall off. Tao climbed out into his aunt's arms. She nuzzled him softly reassuring the whimpering toddler.

"It's alright, I'm sure your mom and dad wouldn't let anything happen to you. You're a big boy." She said looking up at Macaque who climbed out and pulled Tyla out with him. "I know you don't want to answer me, but did you see father?" She asked. Macaque chuckled and patted her shoulder.

"He won't go down so easily." He ran his fingers over Yomi's hair as he went by. "Don't light any fires!" He called out to the monkeys who looked like they wanted to. "It'll show them where we are." The monkeys gasped, throwing the flintstones down as if they themselves were made of fire.

The usual gong sound of the staff could be heard as MK and Wukong landed on the small island.

"Majesty..." each one of the monkeys seemed to touch him as he walked by toward his children. Even some touched MK but with a bowed head. Showing respect, but not much else. They were hurt and needed reassurance. It was MKs understanding that a king was more like a father for everyone. But a mother was what they needed. A Queen they never had. Tyla sighed looking up at Pigsy who sat with Tang in one arm and Suna in the other. Both soaking wet and shivering the same as the rest of them. Suna curled in and buried her face in Pigsy's chest. He looked down at his daughter and sighed.

"What now? You can't go back."

"Flower fruit mountain is a lot safer then here right now. Plus...it's where your males are." It was a common fact that once every few months the males would come in and see the females and then leave again. Some males stayed, others didn't. It was their migration. It was just too hard a trip for children to make seeing as the males tended to make small ships or swam the channel. Wukong would accompany them to make sure they were safe. This time, it would seem they had no choice but to make the journey. But luckily, they had someone who had a ship.

(0)

Sandy's ship pulled alongside the small island. The sun was barely peeking over the horizon. He wasn't able to come join them the night before because of ship troubles. It was supposed to take him all night to fix. It was still smoking in the back, but it would seem he fixed it...for the most part.

Sandy walked down the ramp to help the monkey's. Some still seemed to be soaked, and freezing.

"Don't worry, I have a large pot of tea on the stove waiting for you. Lets get on board and get comfy and warm." He said looking up at Wukong as he had at least four baby monkeys against his chest shivering. He spotted Macaque who had pulled off his scarf and made a papoose to put his son in as he carried the others. Tyla helped usher the toddlers and bigger children up the ramp and onto the boat. Once on the boat it was apparent that they were tired and cold.

"What happened?" Sandy asked.

"We were attacked." MK put a few more babies back into their mothers arms. "Boa and his stupid Golems found us."

"He's really starting to rub me raw." Sandy said, holding out small cups to the younger monkeys and bigger ones to the adults.

"Yeah, you and me both Sandy. Damn near got Tang, and our girl." Pigsy ran his fingers over Suna who breathed softly, having finally fallen asleep. Tang looked down from where he sat on Pigsy's legs.

"You uh...gonna stay like that Pigsy?" MK asked. Pigsy shrugged leaning back against the boxes.

"I'm warmer this way." Pigsy said. Sandy turned to look at his new passengers either curled up on their parents laps or petting kitties. Well except for Rae who seemed to be stalking one. But then had his tail grabbed by his mother who picked him up and sat him on her lap and she started to groom him. At first he protested, but leaned into it. His tongue sticking out of his mouth and his leg kicking. Even wolves were the same as dogs sometimes.

"Alright let's put some distance behind us...or we're going to have a problem."

'Oh he is quite warm isn't he? This female fox is also quite soft. Perhaps I'll keep her around...for my pet...' Pigsy looked down at Tang feeling him tense up. Something was wrong with his partner. He couldn't tell what it was yet...but he'll find out.