Book 3: Heart Strings

Chapter 27: Wasted Space

Turning Tides

Chapter 27

Wasted space

She didn't look too angry as she sat there holding Tao. He had tuckered himself out and wanted a nap. Baryl watched her with him. He knew her just like everyone else. Watched her from afar, the same as most other males did. Believing she wouldn't ever want them for who her father was. He inched closer to him, he watched her tail bush up a bit more. He kept his distance as he came into view on her other side.

Tao watched from his mothers arms. An unknown male was approaching his mother, someone who was not his father. He hissed and buried his face in his mothers chest. Baryl chuckled, rubbing Tao's head.

"Yes, that's your mom. I won't do anything to her, I promise." He chuckled hearing him mumbling something before sticking out his tongue.

"He's at the rebellious stage, he even sasses off to both dad and pops." She said as she felt someone's hand on her shoulder. Yomi waved at her as she danced by.

"Here I'll watch him, you go dance." Yomi said. Plucking Tao up and walking over to Macaque and Wukong who were now deep into their third cup of wine. Their cheeks were definitely pink. Yomi sat on the clear other side of the table and sat back. Lightly rocking Tao and sighing.

"What's she doing?" Tyla looked at him and looked to where he was lightly pointing.

"Oh that's Tang's daughter, Jade. She's a monk, so she's helping Tang recollect his Chakra after the string lady tried to kill him." That was news to Baryl. He knew next to nothing about what happened. Just that there were definitely more females around.

"Dance?" He asked. Tyla looked at his hand, and then back up at him. She didn't look too happy about the question.

"Or we can sit here and assume I'm luggage." yup she was hurt. He sat back down and sighed.

"Looks, I didn't mean it the way you thought it. I'm just used to people taking pity on me and giving handouts. I'm used to doing things myself. Means I don't owe anyone anything." That didn't seem to help.

"It's not a hand out, it's more or less a..." She blushed as she realized what she was about to say. "Wanted you closer." Baryl's cheeks flushed and he took a drink of the punch and cleared his throat.

Okay this female really liked him, was even wanting him to move in too. What should he do?

"Plus the idea of you sleeping on a cold hard floor in the middle of winter...doesn't sound...pleasing. You could catch a cold." She said. "I could catch it and then Tao." She was trying to appeal to his protective nature...testing him.

Testing him?! Oh geez, females do this with males they intend to breed with. This was odd, crazy, he was no one and she was a princess. This wasn't good..not good...very...not...she smelled like fresh tulips fresh during spring.

"I uh...will think about it." He said.

Oh the look on her face. She lit up like the trees in the garden. Yet it didn't last long. It was almost like she had to tell herself something mentally horrible before she almost looked hurt.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked, taking her hand. She pulled her hand from his and sighed.

"It's not a yes, or a no so I shouldn't get my hopes up. I'll...I'm going to go find...my sister."

Baryl watched her go and sighed. She was a very lonely monkey and it shocked him. He didn't expect this sort of behavior from someone who could very well have anyone she wanted. Why him? What did he have that the others didn't?

"Why me?" He whispered.

"Why you? Why sunshine. Why are you asking stupid questions!? She sees you, that's all you need to know. Let it grow from there." Tona said taking a picture of Yomi sleeping just as hard as Tao was. Both drooling on the table. "And be glad that she's still trying." Tona turned to look at him. "If it were anyone else she would have given up long ago." Tona gasped waving at Sandy who was dancing with a woman with long red hair. A metal band held her thick hair in place. It was very curling and thick.

"Tona." The woman bowed to her and smiled. "It is good to see you." Even though she was just as big as her father, her voice was incredibly gentle.

"Sangi!" Tona giggled hugging the two. "Good to see you! Glad to see you were able to make it back in time. The boats have been going farther and farther out to find food."

"I'm afraid so, but it would appear we're...needed?" She asked Tona who motioned for her to follow. The two walked over to Jade. Jade stood up and took Sangi's hand and shook it lightly. Sandy bowed to her after hearing something and Sangi did the same.

"What would you do, if Tyla left with them?" Baryl turned to look around, but no one was there. He didn't like this.