Chapter Text
Li-Mei had been in her parents’ cave all day, cleaning and conversing with her mother about mundane things. Her father was out in the forest with Kai, getting his wife new hides to craft with. The day had been fairly decent, especially considering the last several weeks. Every day, it seemed a new monkey was slaughtered and left in the forest like trash to be found and brought home.
Their bodies were demolished, some beyond recognition. Hao and Ping were overloaded with injuries and body cleanings and had to elicit the help of all of their people. They’ve had to plan too many funerals, and Li-Mei had to console too many fellow Simians.
Lowering her hands from grooming her mother’s brown fur, she sighed. “Ma, what if the deaths never cease…?” Li-Mei asked gravely. “What if they kill us all off?”
Her mother paused in her act of sewing a blanket out of rabbit pelts for Xia’s newest baby and shook her head. “Don’t say that, my dear. We have to believe it’ll stop.”
“It’s been years of it, though. We can’t fight off every enemy we have,” Li-Mei retorted, rubbing her throbbing temples. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to burden you with my thoughts.” Her shoulders slumped, thinking about how her father and brother were out in that dangerous forest as they spoke. “I’m just scared.”
She was unfathomably terrified for everyone she loved. Xia and her family, Xue and her mate, Kai and his new wife, her parents, she could go on. Watching the people around her lose their sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers solidified her fear. She couldn’t possibly handle holding a funeral for her family or friends. That would break her.
Warriors were working overtime to ensure the protection of the immediate area outside their home, but even then, it wasn’t the safest. Li-Mei should know. She snuck out to get fresh air as often as possible and had to dodge the presence of multiple demons. She has had more than her fair share of brushes with death. A shudder wracked her body thinking about it.
“My sweet daughter,” her mother cooed, reaching to massage Li-Mei’s knee with her thumb, “You have such a kind heart.” She smiled over her shoulder. “Everything will be okay. I know it.”
Li-Mei leaned forward and rested her forehead on her back, seeking maternal comfort. She had always loved her mother’s optimistic outlook on life. As she went to respond, a clamor from outside caught her attention. She pressed her cheek against her, “Do you hear that?”
“I do. Sounds important…” Loud monkeys were never a good sign nowadays.
Li-Mei got up from the chair she was sitting in, her feet leaden, and held her hand out to her mother. “Let’s see what’s going on.” The older monkey happily took her offer, setting her sewing to the side and rising to allow her daughter to lead her out of the cave.
The racket only grew louder when they exited. Li-Mei spotted a large group of her people circling something in the center of the village, and chitters of concern floated through the air. The metallic smell of blood reached Li-Mei’s nostrils. It made unease stir in her gut. “Ma, stay here. I’m going to go see what they’re looking at.”
“Be careful,” she warned, anxiety creeping into her face. They were both thinking the same thing: another casualty.
Li-Mei acknowledged her mother’s caution and made her way over to the crowd. She gently moved people out of her way. “Excuse me, sorry.” The bystanders parted in unison when they realized who was touching their shoulders and arms. The mutters intensified and filled her ears.
“I can’t believe it…”
“No one told her?”
Li-Mei’s stomach clenched when the last of the Simians drew apart, and she could finally see what they were gawking at. Kneeling on the dusty ground, chest heaving and body swaying, was an armor-clad Destined One. His brown eyes were barely open, but they locked with hers, and happiness seemed to sparkle in them for a brief second.
“Cloud!” She bolted forward and landed clumsily in front of him. She grabbed his shoulders to keep him from falling over. It was difficult because of how heavy he was and the bulky gold armor he wore. How long had he been here?
“Why are you all standing around?” Li-Mei demanded, shooting dirty looks at everyone gathered. She pointed at four male monkeys. “Two of you go get Hao, and you two help me get him to my cave.” They stared at her, taken aback by the sudden authority she showed. She bared her teeth, “ Now! ”
Scrambling to get out of the throng, two men went to retrieve Elder Hao while the two others came to aid her. They propped his arms over their shoulders, and Li-Mei hoisted him from the front. The wounded monkey released a soft sigh of pain that pulled at her heartstrings.
She caressed his furry cheek, “You’re safe.” Cloud weakly leaned into her palm.
“What did he get fed on the journey?” One male asked through a grunt of effort, readjusting his hold.
“Rocks, perhaps?” The other snickered breathlessly, “Or could be this armor.”
Li-Mei had to agree with them. Five years ago, Cloud was heavy because he was a well-built male, but now? Now he felt like a ton of bricks and then some. It was like he had been molded by stone.
Li-Mei bolted over to another female and smiled at her. “Can you let his parents know? They should be in the third chamber. Direct them to my home, please.” The woman bowed and sprinted into the tunnel that led down the mountain. “Follow me,” Li-Mei said briskly to her helpers.
With his feet dragging heavily on the ground, they struggled to get him to her cave. Once there, they were able to roll him onto the bed with her assistance. “Thank you. I can handle the rest.” The monkeys left her to her whims.
Li-Mei analyzed his armor and decided she would take it off of him despite her body growing hot with embarrassment. “Hao will need it off, anyway…” she reasoned with herself to get over the hump of self-consciousness. She was sure Cloud wouldn’t mind if it meant saving him.
She started with the elaborate piece on his head. She carefully tilted his chin up and untied the red rope from under it. The crown loosened, and she removed it, carefully placing it on the stone floor beside her bed. Her fingers brushed against the long, soft feathers coming out of it. “This is lovely,” she whispered.
Li-Mei inventoried his face next. His eyes were shut tight as if he were experiencing a wave of discomfort. He looked a tad older than when he left, which was to be expected, and had healing lacerations on his cheeks. Worry dug its talons into her, making her eyes water. “Oh, Cloud…” She hated seeing him in such a state of delicacy. He didn’t deserve this.
She wondered what kinds of horrors he had to experience out there, how it had changed him, and what he would do now that he was home. The myriad of faces she’d dreamt about over the years flashed in her mind’s eye. The red devil-like creature, a decomposing Simian with massive black wings and nasty sword attacks, a giant tiger in a pond of blood. So many monsters. Had he seen any of those, or were they figments of her imagination that tried harming her more?
The memory of the last time she saw him fought to the front of her mind. He had stood tall, confident, and powerful. He had kept his promise to her, so she promised him that he would get back to that version of himself.
Li-Mei gave her head a clearing shake. None of that mattered right now because he was safe with her. She was going to take care of him.
Continuing to untie the ropes on his shoulders and chest and unfastening the belt on his waist, Li-Mei’s thoughts couldn’t stop racing with every grunt and groan he let out. Was he attacked by yaoguais on his way home? He seemed so drained, like he fought off a whole army.
As his armor loosened from his body, his lips parted, and let out a relieved exhale. “That must feel better,” she murmured, trying her best to wiggle the heavy metal out from under him without jostling him too much.
Unlatching the arm and leg braces was the last of the set she needed to undo. She set his armor beside the crown, making sure it didn’t clank against itself. Underneath his protective layer, he wore a long-sleeved maroon and black tunic with a pretty gold pattern. It looked thick and would have definitely added an extra layer of protection, not that he needed it. The gold armor was heavy and thick enough to take a considerable amount of damage.
Li-Mei smiled, lightly brushing her knuckles against his warm shoulder. The fabric of his tunic scratched against her skin. “You look like a king with all this fancy stuff,” she joked lightly.
“That’s because he is,” an old, shaky voice replied.
Jumping out of her fur, Li-Mei ripped her hand from Cloud and whipped her head over her shoulder. Expecting Hao, she was surprised to see the old, white-furred frail monkey that had sent him off to begin with, standing in the threshold of her home.
Li-Mei didn’t appreciate his presence because if not for him, all of those males would still be home. Cloud wouldn’t have gone and been the only one to return.
“May I come in?” He asked politely.
“Uh, yeah, yes,” she waved him in and hurried to grab her only chair, setting it at the foot of her stone bed. “Sit, please.”
He slowly walked in, dipping his head toward the young woman, and settled into the chair with a huff. He stared at Cloud for a long time before moving his eyes to Li-Mei, whose gaze never left him.
“What do you mean he’s a king?” She asked, eyes wide and shoulders tense.
The Old Monkey chuckled, “It’s a long story that’s not mine to tell.” His wrinkled hand extended toward Cloud. “He’ll tell you in due time. All you need to know is that he is now a tempered king and will be treated as such.”
Tempered… she wondered what he meant by that. And why does he look so smug about it?
Li-Mei’s black brows furrowed at the vagueness and she glanced at the semi-unconscious monkey beside her. He wasn’t one who needed to be controlled, unlike Qian. Or was that not true anymore? Has this mission changed him into a completely different person?
“This journey,” she began, thinking back to the speech this same elder had given to entice many of their males to leave. “What was it all for? What did he bring back?” She remembered Wukong’s name being thrown around and the mention of his relics. “ Where is Sun Wukong?” Had her friend gone on this expedition for absolutely nothing?
The Old Monkey’s face lit up. “Sun Wukong is here, but not in the way you’re thinking. This Destined One has done what he was called to do.”
“What exactly was he called to do?” Li-Mei asked again, more exasperated. She realized immediately how rude she sounded and bowed to him to apologize. “I know you said this isn’t your story to tell, but he can’t talk. How will he tell me anything?”
The elder’s brown eyes twinkled, and his weathered lips tweaked up slightly. “That young monkey is full of surprises.” He rose to his feet and put his hands together in a praying position, bowing in return. “You will see it all very soon.”
Overwhelmed by Cloud’s return, Li-Mei readily accepted the Old Monkey’s explanation without further questions, even though alarm bells were ringing.
Casting one last look at the Destined One, he made his way out of her cave and was met with Hao, who stared hard at the wizened man.
“What are you doing here?” Elder Hao asked scathingly. Li-Mei was surprised because the man was usually very level-headed. Maybe it was old age finally getting to him. She listened to their conversation as she looked at Cloud, taking in his figure lying in her bed. He didn’t make much noise and was as still as a statue. The only indication he was still alive was his chest rising and falling rapidly.
“I was coming to welcome the Destined One home,” the elder replied neutrally. “Is that a crime?”
“Crime or not, you must leave that kid alone. Allow him time to understand everything that’s happened,” Hao snapped, drawing closer to the younger monkeys. “Off you go, old man. I must tend to him.”
“Very well,” the Old Monkey sniffed, padding away.
Hao’s hand rested on Li-Mei’s shoulder, gently moving her to the side. “Thank you for taking charge out there, Miss. Some of those monkeys are useless in stressful times.”
Li-Mei rushed around him to stand at the end of her bed, watching as Hao undid Cloud’s tunic, exposing his chest. She looked away. “Yes, of course. I was scared he could be badly injured.” She focused her gaze on Cloud's face again. His eyes were hollow with heavy dark circles beneath them and his cheekbones protruded. The exposed skin on his face was pale, and sweat dotted his forehead. “He looks terrible.”
Hao opened the tunic all the way and growled at what he saw when it fell away. “Yes, having me here was a good idea. I wonder how he got home with such injuries.” He glanced at Li-Mei, waving her over with his tail. “You must help me.”
Li-Mei stiffened, and her mouth gaped in shock. “M-Me?” She waved her hands frantically. “I don’t know anything! I could possibly hurt him.” She motioned to the outside with her chin. “Where’s Ping?”
“She’s busy with Qian and his lackeys.” Hao’s face turned up into a snarl. “Those idiots came back from a patrol beaten to a pulp. As you can imagine, she is busy.” He tapped his foot impatiently. “Can you help or not?”
“I don’t–”
“You care for him, yes?”
“Yes,” she answered with zero hesitation. “A lot.”
“Then get over here and help me.” Hao reached over and pulled her toward him by her wrist. Bending down and grabbing a rag dripping with water from a wooden bucket, he held it out to her. “Clean up the wounds on his stomach and chest. If you need more,” he kicked the bucket a little, “They are in this. I’ll be back. I need to get herbs and other things for him.”
Before Li-Mei could argue, Hao strode out of the cave, leaving her staring at his back. Sighing, she turned toward Cloud. “I guess it’s just us…”
Her gaze trailed down his body and stopped on his stomach. A gasp was ripped from her throat at a speed she didn’t think possible. He had a deep gash that started at one side of his abdomen and ended at the one closest to her. Though blood had crusted around the wound itself and in his taupe fur, some was still trying to seep out.
Li-Mei pushed down the nausea that slithered into her throat and prepared herself for what she had to do. “I’m sorry if I hurt you,” she mumbled, leaning over to start her duty. As soon as the cold rag touched the edge of the bloody mess, Cloud drew in a sharp breath, and his hand clenched her blanket. Li-Mei’s face twisted into a grimace, sympathizing with his pain. “I know, I know, I’m sorry…”
She wiped off as much as she could without touching the deepest, gnarliest parts. The blood in his fur was the hardest to get out as it had been there for who knows how long and plastered the fur down. The rag soon turned a deep crimson, and she elected to grab another one.
Cloud’s breathing grew heavier with every pass. She was moving on from his stomach when she felt a strange sensation graze her hand, which she had been propping herself up with. Looking down, she saw that Cloud was weakly moving the tips of his blunt, dangerous claws against her skin gently. A tiny, pleading chirp came out from between his gritted teeth.
Li-Mei continued cleaning, moving onto his chest and the cuts there. “I know it hurts, Cloud, but I have to do it. You’ll feel better once Hao returns with herbs, and you can sleep.” Cloud’s hand stopped moving then, and he endured the agony for a little longer. “There you go,” she praised softly.
When she was three bloody rags deep, she finally finished and dried her hands off on her dress. Cloud had opened his eyes enough to watch what she was doing. His attention wasn’t very focused, and Li-Mei assumed he wouldn’t remember anything.
Hao returned with his hands full of herbs wrapped securely in maidenhair tree leaves. Two males trailed after him, holding tools and standing respectfully from the other three. The medicinal monkey inspected Li-Mei’s work and let out an impressed chitter. “Very well done, Miss Li-Mei.”
The younger monkey dipped her head and blushed, “Thank you. I did what I could.” Hao didn’t let her dwell too much on the praise and got straight to business. He put his herbs on the seat of the chair and used his fingers to press around the cleaned gash.
Cloud’s hand flashed out, but Hao was quicker, somehow, and wrapped his tail tightly around his wrist. “Let me do this, son.” The male gave up his fight quickly. “It’s swollen and hard.” Hao sniffed and cringed, wrinkling his nose. “There’s a sour scent to it, too. Must be infected.”
“So…” Li-Mei urged, watching the monkey work. She had smelled it, too, while washing the wound.
“So, that means I will give him a poultice that must be applied daily for a week. It will soothe the pain and heal him quick.” He turned raised eyebrows at her. “Are you up for that task?”
Cheeks blazing again, but this time in shyness, Li-Mei shrugged, “Yes, I can do that. If he’s too weak to do it himself.”
Hao chuckled and gathered the herbs necessary for said poultice and his mortar and pestle from the larger of the males. “He will want you to do it, trust me.” He ground it into a chunky paste, then added some water from a small clay pitcher from the other male to thin it out. “This medicine is soothing, but pain must come before comfort.”
“What does it do?” Li-Mei asked, curling her lip at the overpowering tangy smell that rose from the bowl. “Smells gross,” she shuddered.
A large laugh rumbled in the elder’s chest. “The juices will get into his wound and clean it from the inside out. It is meant to fight off infection. Numbing will take effect shortly after.”
Li-Mei finally understood what the monkey was saying. Even if Cloud were the type to say, "I’m a man. I can do it myself," he would most likely prefer someone else to help him only because of the pain he’d feel. Her heart sped up, thinking about how she would have to touch his stomach and chest again if he needed her.
Once Hao had a spreadable paste, he used his fingers to slather it onto the deep laceration, careful not to accidentally stab him with his claws. Cloud’s body jerked and his ab muscles tightened. He made a choked sound of pain, and his claws dug hard into the linens, ripping holes into them.
“Is he okay?” Li-Mei blurted, placing a steadying hand on his shin. She didn’t know how else to comfort him without getting in the way of Hao. “Maybe that’s too powerful.”
“Pain before comfort,” he reminded her, finishing smearing the poultice. He beckoned the men he had brought along with him. “Miss, I need you out of the way. They must help me now.”
Li-Mei reluctantly obeyed and stepped from her bed, leaving her friend in the hands of the three males. Hao instructed the bigger of the two to lift Cloud into a sitting position and the smaller one to take off his tunic the rest of the way.
Li-Mei paced back and forth, stress making her tap her claw against her teeth. Cloud's shuddering breaths killed her. She wished she could wrap up in her arms and protect him from harm. “Careful…” she warned the warriors, tail tip flicking irritably as she watched them struggle to prop him up. The small, wiry male slid off the tunic, folded it, and placed it on top of the pile of armor.
“Don’t worry, we’re almost done torturing him,” the large one wheezed. Hao expertly wrapped gauze all the way around Cloud’s chest and abdomen. He tucked it securely and nodded to the warrior, who laid the injured male down again.
The Simians departed after murmuring words of encouragement to Cloud. Hao went to Li-Mei with most of his tools in hand when he was done putting more of the salve on the little cuts littering Cloud’s face. “I’m leaving you with enough herbs and gauze for seven sunrises. You can use my mortar and pestle to make the poultice. I have more.” A smile softened his strict expression. “Take care of him, Miss. He needs you now more than ever.”
Li-Mei expressed her gratitude by bowing deeply. “Thank you for helping him, Hao. I’ll do my best.”
“Piece of advice, don’t let that old man bully him into anything,” the elder grunted, reverting to his usual prickly self, and waved to her as he took his leave, “You know where to find me if you need me.”
Li-Mei took his words to heart. After the unusual encounter she had with the first elder and Hao’s reaction, she felt something wasn’t as it seemed. The ebony-furred female rushed to Cloud’s side, collapsing on the floor beside his head. He was passed out now. His hard breathing leveled as he allowed himself to plunge into sleep.
Tentatively reaching out, she placed her palm on his bicep. It was unnaturally hot, which worried her, but she told herself it was just his body fighting off infection. Li-Mei’s eyes teared up, and she leaned her forehead against his soft fur.
She inhaled his all-too-familiar scent and held it for as long as she could manage. “I can’t believe you’re finally home,” she wept through a gasp, caressing him with her thumb. Her steady flow of tears soaked his arm, but she didn’t care. She couldn’t hold onto the emotions she’d shoved into the darkest crevices of her soul for the last five years. Anger, confusion, sorrow, and, most of all, consolation melded into one as she sobbed. “I never want to lose you again!”