Before he was Taken (Prologue)

What one is willing to do

A few hours after his last visit to Wukong, and his not so welcome visit from Erlang, Macaque was eager to see his Sister back to the mountain.

He offered her some tea in their small respite of peace upon the lands, the brewing  storm dissuading a few demons from coming their way. This gave Mihou all the time in the world to get some well needed answers, and hopefully devise a plan. With his side patched up again, braced with some extra material, he poured his sister a cup of green tea.
He was careful with is questions, not wishing to worry her about his potential plan, "What do you know of Erlang Sheng?" he asked. She lifted an eye brow from him, the topic rather pulled from thin air in her mind. Still, she answered anyway.

"He's cunning. A con with a pretty smile who will stab you in the back." She paused, "I hear he makes the best tea though."

"What a strange detail." Macaque says.

"Well, as someone who has tried the tea, it is good," she shrugged.

"Don't you... work with him?"

"I wouldn't say work. We protect the Celestial realm and the Celestial host. We do our tasks and duties, and sometimes chat I suppose. Despite his nature, I might even call him tame compared to the ruthlessness of other Celestials."

Macaque frowned slightly, swirling the tea in his cup as he pondered the implications of her words. "Tame? That's a bold choice of words for someone who has gone against us before. If he's so manageable, why do we continue to tread lightly around him?"

Gongzhu sipped her tea, her expression contemplative. "It's not just about him, brother. The Celestial host swings like a pendulum between order and chaos. Erlang knows how to navigate that space, and sometimes, that makes him an ally more than an enemy. Sometimes. He's odd. Conceited, talks too much-" she leaned against her hand, "Not too different from that little King of yours."

Macaque bristled, "They are nothing alike," he disagreed.

She took a sip of her tea instead of responding, "Why the sudden interest in that man anyway?"

As he gazed out onto the mountainside, Macaque let out a deep sigh and took a sip of his tea. He wrestled with how much to reveal to his sister, but ultimately decided she deserved to know the whole truth. And so, with a heavy heart, he recounted everything that had happened while she was away.

There was a small quiver to her hand, but her expression remained calm and neutral. She slowly lowered the tea cup back to the table, smoothing down her dress. When she had ample time to go over his words, she grasped his shoulders. He thought she might reassure him, or calmly ask question- instead she screamed.

"HE'S TRYING TO STEAL YOU??" the emotion could not be held down when she actually attempted to speak. In a show of rage she rose, throwing her arms up, "That no good, dirt scoundrel!! I can't believe- the nerve- I'm going to rip his head off!" she fummed, pacing the room.

It all made sense now. Of course Erlang had gained an interest in her Brother! Erlang cared not for any demon! Or anyone! He was a loner, whether to his own lack of social graces or otherwise. Yet, one strange day he had approached Gonghzu, curious of her kin.

Curious of Mihou.

Such an interest he held, until Gongzhu grouched about his recent union to Sun Wukong. That had dampered Erlang's mood, and she had assumed it was just the mention of Wukong that had done it... not the denial of Mihou's availability.

"I should have punched him!" she screeched.

Macaque watched her with a sip of his tea, musing quietly. He could always count on Gongzhu to say exactly what was on his mind.