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Chapter Text

The first moments of her life happened quickly. She was brought into sudden awareness by the crack of stone, alone on top of a mountain. The ambient quiet that followed was a stark contrast and the young monkey could do nothing but listen to the sound of birds and feel the wind rustle her fur.

Catching her bearings, she got to her feet and a thought popped through her mind that she needed to show respect. She bowed to the four directions and was surprised by the sudden rush of energy that raced through her body. Suddenly, beams of golden light burst from her eyes and shot out into the sky.

There was a moment of silence. While the surge had been brief, it still left the little monkey stunned. What was that? When an answer was not immediately forthcoming, she gave up and began to look around.

There was a lone tree perched on a mossy stone and a ring of bushes and pillar-like stones around the edge of the peak – not much to look at. The monkey appeared to be alone, and she chirped curiously, hoping for a response. More silence. A sad whine escaped her throat, and a lonely feeling crept into her chest. She curled up into a ball and wrapped her tail around herself.

The monkey sat there for a few minutes, processing her isolation. When she felt calmer, she got onto all fours and walked over to the edge to look for a way down. If there was no one up here, she would simply have to go looking for them. There also didn’t seem to be anything to eat, which would eventually be a problem.

Peaking over the edge, she saw a craggy outcrop that she could use to climb down. She carefully lowered herself onto the ledge and began the slow process of climbing down the side of the mountain. After what felt like hours, more trees came into view and the monkey’s stomach began to growl: she needed food. But she’d never seen food before; she hoped that the instincts that had led her this far would help her find something.

Soon, her feet touched soft soil and trees towered over her head. The monkey looked in awe of all the forest around her. There were so many new colors, and sounds, and smells. She sat down and took it all in. The rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, the colors of fruits and flowers, their sweet smells. Her stomach growling again interrupted her daze and she followed a particularly sweet smell to a tree full of round, pink fruits. She licked her lips and climbed up into the branches. Picking the largest one she could find, the monkey held it to her nose to smell. It smelled sweet and the skin was fuzzy to the touch. She gave it a gentle squeeze and found it slightly firm with a little give. She stuck her tongue out and gave it a cautious lick, finding it to have little taste. With a shrug, she gave it a cautious bite and warbled at the taste. It was sweet and juicy. She pulled it away from her mouth and saw that the inside was a warm yellow. With a cheerful chirp, she dug in, happily devouring the delicious fruit.

She sat in the tree until she’d eaten her fill, and the pits littered the forest floor. The monkey climbed down and continued her walk, chirping curiously in hopes someone would respond. Soon the sound of rushing water filled her ears, and she followed it to a great waterfall. She watched the water tumble down from the cliff into the rocky river below. That’s when she heard it: the chitters of other monkeys.

Excitedly, she followed the river and saw a group of monkeys playing. Calling happily, she ran over to them. At first, they were confused, but they soon welcomed her into the troop. The mothers took her in like one of their own cubs and she had a home.

They named her Shíhóu, the Stone Monkey.

~x~

Shíhóu had a home and a troop that loved her, but she felt different. She knew she was a cub herself, but she was bigger than most of the others, bigger than many of the adults. Her appearance differed from them too. Her fur was a golden orange, her hair was curled, there were speckles across her nose and cheeks, and her eyes had a golden glow.

But it wasn’t just her appearance that made her feel separate. Shíhóu learned that she could do things the other monkeys couldn’t. She was stronger, faster, more agile, and she radiated golden energy when excited or angry. The rest of the troop loved her, and Shíhóu knew that, but it still felt alienating. She longed to have someone like her to talk to.

Shíhóu pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her tail around her ankle. The leaves of her skirt rustled as she moved. She watched the other monkeys play and let out a lonely coo. One of the older cubs saw her and ran over.

“Are you sad?” he chirped in concerned curiosity. She uncurled herself and gave him a small smile.

“A little,” she answered. “But I’m okay,” she chirped reassuringly. She ran a hand through her curls and huffed when her fingers snagged in some knots. The other monkey noticed and began to groom her, and the act was soothing enough that Shíhóu was able to push the loneliness to the back of her mind and settled into the sensation of fingers picking through her fur.

They stayed like that until Ma came to collect her.

Shíhóu may feel lonely now, but she knew she wasn’t really alone.

~x~

Unbeknownst to her, Shíhóu’s life changed one night during a storm. It was pitch black out and rain pounded against the ground outside of the cave her troop was sheltered in. The only light was the occasional flash of lightning, and the rumble of thunder filled the sky. The wind howled and the branches of trees snapped.

A tree fell outside, and the sound scared the youngest members who clung to their mothers’ fur. Shíhóu was huddled with the rest of the troop, held close to Ma’s chest, when she felt the energy inside of her shift. Golden light briefly lit the cave as her eyes flashed. Something had changed, she felt it, but she couldn’t think of what.

How could she have known that somewhere else on the island, a young monkey’s life began when he fell out of a shadow?

~x~

The first thing he became aware of was the feeling of rain against his fur. He took a moment to orient himself before pushing himself upright. It was dark but he could see through the shadows to the forest around him. The wind ruffled his wet, muddy fur, and he wrapped his arms around himself with a shiver. He felt his ears twitch, trying to process all of the sounds around him. Lightning flashed over his head, startling him, and the clap of thunder that followed pounded through his head. His hands flew to cover his ears, and he screeched in distress.

When it was finally quiet, he got to his hands and feet and ran in search of shelter. He found an alcove in the side of the mountain and pressed himself into the back. Shivering, he hugged himself and his tail curled around his waist. The monkey whimpered and he tried barking for help: no one answered. He curled in on himself and protected his sensitive ears from another roll of thunder. A sad coo left his throat, and he settled in to spend the night alone.

He was so cold and tired that he didn’t see the way the shadows curled around him, wrapping him in their dark embrace.

~x~

When he opened his eyes, the sun had risen, and the sky was clear. He cautiously climbed out of the alcove and looked around. Branches had fallen and fruit was scattered across the forest floor. The monkey’s stomach growled, and he picked up the first fruit he saw. It was a reddish-purple and he gave it a sniff before taking a bite. The inside of the fruit was juicy and yellow, and he hummed at the tart aftertaste.

The monkey had almost eaten his fill when he heard it: the sound of other monkeys. Quickly finishing the fruit he was currently eating, he followed the sound. He climbed over fallen trees and avoided muddy puddles. The noise was a lot further away than he had thought and he scratched at his sensitive ears.

With a huff, the monkey prepared for a long walk.

~x~

Shíhóu was playing with the other cubs when the new monkey found them.

She heard the rustling of the bushes and broke away from the others to investigate it. When she was clear of the leaves, a surprised chirp left her mouth. Shíhóu was almost nose to nose with a black furred monkey who was, to her surprise, like her.

His dark hair and fur were dirty and unruly and the mask around his eyes was a deep red. He had the same gold eyes as Shíhóu and, oddly enough, had three pairs of ears.

“Hello,” Shíhóu chirped, tail curling in delight. “I’m Shíhóu.”

“H-hello,” the monkey chirped in reply. His ears twitched and briefly flashed different colors.

“What’s your name?” Shíhóu cooed curiously. The other monkey tilted his head with a confused warble. “You don’t have one?” He shook his head with a sad trill. “My troop can give you a name. Wanna meet them?”

The monkey's ears twitched again, and, after a moment, he nodded. Shíhóu let out an excited trill and dove back into the bushes. She stopped when the other didn’t immediately follow and turned to watch him hesitantly emerge from the brush. He looked around, seemingly taking in the light reflecting off the river.

The troop chirped excitedly when they saw Shíhóu but stopped when they saw the new monkey. He stopped, startled at all the new eyes on him. After a moment’s hesitation, the troop ran over to greet the newcomer, chirping excitedly. All of them greeting at the same time was loud and the dark-furred monkey’s hands flew up to cover his many ears. His eyes screwed shut, and he let out a distressed whine. The shadows seemed to ripple around him and Shíhóu felt a strange energy.

Worried, the other monkeys settled down and exchanged concerned glances. Shíhóu weaved her way through the crowd and gave him a soft coo and offered to groom his messy fur. The simple act always soothed her when she was distressed, and she hoped it would help him too.

Slowly, he lifted his head, and Shíhóu saw that his eyes were glowing a deep purple. He gave a tentative nod, and she settled down behind him. As gently as she could, she began to pick through his fur and soon his hands lowered from his ears. He settled down and the strange energy dissipated. Seeing that the newcomer was calm, the troop approached again and, much quieter, greeted him.

They named him Liù’Ěr Míhóu, the Six-Eared Macaque.

~x~

Míhóu settled into the troop well. While he got more used to the noise, he was prone to headaches and still needed time away from them where it was quiet. So, it was no surprise when Shíhóu looked around and couldn’t find him.

Breaking off from the rest of the troop, she followed the river towards the big waterfall, tracing Míhóu’s scent on the breeze. She found him perched on a mossy stone in the middle of the pool under the shade of the bamboo trees. He was watching small fish swimming in the shallows, tail bobbing contentedly behind him. His black fur was damp from the water and his ears twitched, tracking the sounds of the jungle.

Shíhóu walked out onto the path-stones and slipped into the water. She swam over to Liù’Ěr’s rock and propped her arms up on the edge.

“Needed quiet time?” she chirped.

“You know how loud it gets,” Míhóu grunted. He turned his head to look Shíhóu in the eyes and scooted over to make room for her on the rock. She climbed out and sat next to him. The water settled and the fish returned.

“Seems like you have a favorite spot,” Shíhóu teased. “This is the third time I’ve found you here.”

“It’s quiet here.” Míhóu’s ears flicked, flashing their usual colors; Shíhóu wondered what they meant.

“Even with that big waterfall?” she cooed, gesturing to it with her tail.

“It’s soothing,” Míhóu chirped. “It drowns out a lot of the other stuff I hear. Even the stuff I can’t place.”

“It certainly is pretty,” Shíhóu trilled.

They sat in silence after that, enjoying the scenery. A flock of birds flew overhead and Shíhóu watched them, wondering where they were going. She didn’t know how long they sat there before Ma and Liu came looking for them.

“There you two are,” Ma grunted, walking out onto the path-stones. “We were starting to worry about you.”

“Míhóu just needed his quiet time,” Shíhóu teased with a warble. Liù’Ěr glared at her, making her laugh, to which he responded by pushing her off the rock into the water. Shíhóu broke the surface and gasped for air and pouted at him laughing at her.

“Alright, that’s enough you two,” scolded Liu with a bark. He joined Ma on the path-stones. “It’s getting late and you’re both going to need a groom, or your fur will mat.”

“We’re coming,” Shíhóu whined, swimming over to the older monkeys. Behind her, she heard Míhóu slip into the water as well and swim after her.

“Your fur is a mess. Look at your curls,” Ma chastised, picking at Shíhóu’s hair. She ducked away from Ma’s mothering as Míhóu climbed out of the pool, shaking the water from his fur.

“We were appreciating the waterfall,” Míhóu chirped, ignoring Liu inspecting his equally messy hair.

“Appreciation is fine, but you cubs be careful around it,” Ma warned, removing her hands from Shíhóu’s fur. “Mysterious things happen around that waterfall.”

“What kinds of things? Is something behind it?” Shíhóu asked. She was curious by nature and the prospect of seeing what mysteries were behind that waterfall piqued her interest.

“No one knows for sure. But monkeys have seen things,” Ma chirped. She turned and began the walk back to the troop, Liu and Míhóu following her.

Shíhóu was left standing there watching the waterfall. Nothing seemed unusual about it, at least not to her. She wondered what could possibly be behind it. Ma was clearly worried about something happening, but Shíhóu couldn’t think of what.

“Shíhóu!” Liu screeched, snapping her out of her thoughts. She turned, casting one last glance at the waterfall over her shoulder before scampering after them.

She could satisfy her curiosity another day.

~x~

An opportunity for a closer look at the waterfall stubbornly evaded her. Every attempt she made to sneak away was thwarted by Ma. It seemed like Ma could see right through her and was determined to keep her out of trouble. Whenever Shíhóu thought she had a chance, she would feel the older monkey’s eyes on her. It was like she knew the instant the thought crossed Shíhóu’s mind. While she was having fun with Míhóu and the other cubs, the thought of what could possibly be behind the waterfall wouldn’t leave her mind.

Shíhóu kept herself busy throughout the day until the mothers called them over for food and their evening groom. She was handed her favorite fruit, a peach, and Ma settled behind her to pick through her fur.

When everyone was finished, the cubs all settled down for their evening story. Shíhóu loved them. Her imagination ran wild when she heard the tales of strange creatures from strange, far-off places. It was Liu’s turn to orate, and he climbed up onto a rock overlooking the troop.

“This is the story of an ancient immortal and his home behind a curtain of water,” Liu warbled. The mention of a water curtain caught Shíhóu’s attention. “Long ago, a powerful immortal traveled the continents seeking knowledge and fortune. He had great powers few could match. The immortal defeated many powerful foes in far off lands.” Shíhóu’s eyes sparkled. She loved these kinds of stories: of warriors and their heroic escapades. Míhóu, she knew, was also a fan of stories with action and she saw his tail twitching in excitement.

“Great beasts, vicious creatures, and cunning demons all feared mention of his name,” Liu barked. “Everywhere he went, he would free villages from their tormentors. The people he saved showered him in riches as thanks for helping them. The immortal gained awesome wealth, but he was not yet satisfied. He ever hungered for more knowledge, taking whatever he found.

“The immortal traveled until he had learned all that he could. ‘I have traveled far and wide and have learned all of the world’s secrets. With all the knowledge I have, I could challenge the great scholars of heaven,’ he boasted and declared his greatness to the very clouds.” Liu glanced around the troop meeting each cub’s eyes.

“The gods did not appreciate having their wisdom challenged, and soon the immortal learned of his mistake,” he growled, ominously. The youngest cubs trilled in fear before being soothed by their mothers. “He took his vast riches and fled, searching for a place to hide from their wrath. The immortal scaled mountains and crossed seas, until he found a cave hidden behind an enchanted curtain of water.”

Shíhóu was practically vibrating with excitement, and she hoped golden light wasn’t radiating off her fur. Was there a cave behind the waterfall? Was it enchanted?

“He used his great wealth to build a fabulous manor there where he could live in comfort, safe from the eyes of heaven,” Liu trilled, gesticulating in a way that awed the cubs. “And this is where our story would end, if not the fateful day the immortal disappeared. No one knows for sure what happened. Some say he gave up his immortality to share his knowledge with the world; others say that the gods finally found him. All that is certain is that he left behind his home and treasures still hidden behind the water curtain, waiting to be found.”

“Where is the cave?” Shíhóu chirped. She could feel the golden energy sparking off her fur and knew she must be glowing in the dim light. Ma gave her a strange but knowing look that Shíhóu chose to ignore.

“The cave’s true location, little one, is a mystery, but some say it is here, on this very mountain,” Liu cooed. “Many have search for this treasure, but all have failed. It is said that only those deemed worthy will be able to find it. But that same legend also says that it awaits a very special monkey, willing to brave the danger and leap through the water curtain and be granted the title of the Monkey King.”

Something in the story resonated within Shíhóu, and she couldn’t quite explain what it was. Was the waterfall actually the water curtain from the legend? She had to know more.

“Is it really here, on the mountain?” Shíhóu trilled, eagerly.

“It’s just a story,” Liu warbled climbing down from the rock.

“But if someone found it…”

“That’s enough, Shíhóu,” interrupted Ma. “It is late, and time for sleep.” Around them the troop was dispersing. The youngest cubs had fallen asleep, carried away by their mothers, and the yearlings were being ushered to their nests. Liù’Ěr yawned and his eyes seemed to shine purple in the dark. Reluctantly, Shíhóu followed their lead, laying down in the nest she shared with Ma and closing her eyes. Míhóu settled into his nest next to hers and chirped a soft goodnight.

Shíhóu tried to sleep, she really did, but she couldn’t escape the feeling in the back of her mind that there was something she needed to do. She tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable, before giving up with a sigh. Quietly she climbed out of her nest and carefully, so as not to wake the others, walked down to the river. She made it about halfway to the waterfall when she was caught.

“What are you doing up?” chirped Míhóu. It’s no surprise he heard her: he heard everything.

“I just need to take care of something,” Shíhóu trilled, continuing her walk. Her hope that he would accept her answer and go back to sleep was dashed when he followed her.

“You’re going to the waterfall, aren’t you?” Míhóu asked, his dark fur appearing to be one with the shadows.

“And? Are you going to tell on me?” Shíhóu squeaked. She pointedly avoided meeting his eyes and just kept walking. That nagging feeling in the back of her mind drove her onwards.

“No, I won’t tell Ma you’re about to do something stupid while pointedly not listening to her,” Míhóu grunted. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing? I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I don’t know,” Shíhóu chirped. “It just feels like something I have to do.”

“I’m pretty sure you can live without knowing,” Míhóu cooed. He jumped up onto a fallen log, ears fanned out, before continuing to follow her.

“It’s not just being curious,” Shíhóu trilled. “It feels important. Like something is telling me I need to do this.”

“If you say so.”

They spent the rest of the walk in silence. Crickets chirped and fireflies drifted across their path. The mountain was beautiful at night, even if she was rarely allowed to see it. Soon the sound of rushing water reached her ears, and the waterfall came into view. Shíhóu bounded out onto the path-stones and looked up at the great water curtain.

“This is it,” she chirped, mentally psyching herself up. Before Shíhóu could jump, there was a rustling in the bushes behind them.

“Shíhóu, wait…” Míhóu squeaked.

“And what do you two think you’re doing?” Ma screeched, emerging from the brush behind them. She was livid.

“Uh, well…” Míhóu stuttered, nervously scratching behind his ears. Ma shot him a glare, ending his argument.

“Shíhóu, I expected. But I’m disappointed in you, Liù’Ěr Míhóu,” Ma growled. Míhóu’s ears pressed flat against his head. She turned her gaze onto Shíhóu. “I should have never let Liu tell that story. I knew it would lead you into trouble.”

“But…” Shíhóu squeaked.

“No buts,” Ma interrupted with a bark. “The two of you are going right back to your nests and you’re going to say there. I’m not about to let you both get hurt.” Míhóu glanced at Shíhóu over his shoulder.

“Yes, Elder,” he warbled.

Shíhóu’s brows knit in frustration, and she turned back to the waterfall in protest.

“I don’t need your attitude, cub,” Ma growled. “The waterfall is dangerous!”

“I have to do this,” Shíhóu barked. She felt the golden energy inside her flare and could see it reflected in the water. The waterfall seemed to almost ripple in response to her power and her eyes widened in shock. Was that an enchantment? She’d never seen one before, but water didn’t behave like that. She steeled her nerve and prepared to jump.

“Shíhóu, wait!” she heard Ma and Liù’Ěr shout behind her. She ignored their protests and took the plunge.

For a moment, she was blinded. Her senses were consumed by the rushing water. There was a building warmth inside her and golden light flared in her eyes and radiated from her fur and then, as if by magic, the world cleared. She coughed, water clearing from her throat, and she needed a minute to catch her breath. Shakily, Shíhóu got to her hands and feet and looked around.

It was dark, but she could see that she was in a cave. She thought for a moment before she reached for that well of energy that was always inside her and attempted to draw it out into her eyes or her fur for light. After a few moments of concentration, she managed to produce enough light to look around. There wasn’t much to see at first, but her eyes landed on what looked like steps. That had to mean someone had been there, right?

Excited, she charged up the steps and soon the path widened into another cave. And there it was: an abandoned manor. Chittering, she ran to the main door and looked around. The place was huge! Through the dust and gloom, Shíhóu could see the beautiful murals and carvings, and all kinds of stuff she had never seen before.

She had to share what she found!

Shíhóu ran back to the waterfall and looked around for the way out. Where were the path-stones? Cautiously, she touched the water curtain and the golden light around her hands sparked. She watched in wonder as the waterfall radiated golden light before the water parted.

Ma and Míhóu were waiting for her on the other side. Their arms were thrown over their faces, protecting them from the blinding light piercing the darkness. After a moment’s hesitation, they uncovered their eyes and stared at Shíhóu in awe.

“Shíhóu! You’re…” Míhóu trailed off and stared at her with wide, sparkling eyes. It was in that moment that she realized she was still radiating golden light and that she must have been quite a sight.

“Little one,” Ma squeaked. She watched Shíhóu for another moment before she dropped into a kowtow. “My king.”

Shíhóu was stunned at the display. She exchanged a glance with Míhóu before he too bowed – she didn’t know what to make of that.

The blinding light must have woken, not only the troop, but other monkeys and gibbons on the mountain, because soon they were gathering around the pool. One by one they kowtowed before their new king.

Shíhóu didn’t know for sure how this would change her life, but she was eager to see what the future held.

Chapter Text

When Shíhóu woke that morning, it seemed like any other day. Light shone through the window, from the balcony ledge that overlooked the forest. She yawned and stretched. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she sat up in her nest and cringed at the strange dampness she felt between her legs. The air smelled of blood and she worriedly pushed her blanket aside and stared at the bloody stain on her bed. Shíhóu didn’t feel injured, but the blood was definitely fresh.

Carefully, she reached down and traced the flow of blood to the folds between her legs. It flowed from her opening, and the bloody clumps had her worried that something had happened to her insides.

She couldn’t hold back the panicked screech that left her throat. Within moments, the once quiet manor was filled with noise as the other inhabitants rushed to their king’s aid. Liù’Ěr Míhóu burst through the door, shadows swirling around him. He looked around for possible intruders before his eyes landed on the blood on her hand.

“Shíhóu! Are you alright?” Míhóu asked with a bark. He dashed over to the nest and began inspecting her for wounds. “Where are you hurt?”

“I don’t know!” Shíhóu trilled and fought off the urge to panic. She didn’t feel injured, but the blood told otherwise. Was she dying? That thought didn’t sit well with her. “It’s coming from inside of me.”

Míhóu’s brows knit as he observed the small pool of blood between her legs. He opened his mouth to reassure her but was interrupted by two of the mountain’s elders: Ma and Beng. They looked around for threats and, seeing that their king was not in immediate danger, they approached the nest. Ma was immediately concerned about the amount of blood, and she gave Shíhóu’s hand a sniff.

“What happened?” Ma asked, her voice even but firm. She met Shíhóu’s eyes with a motherly look that helped calm the king.

“I just woke up and found blood,” Shíhóu began, with a nervous chirp. “It’s coming from between my legs.”

Ma furrowed her brow, and she glanced down at the puddle soaking the nest. She thought for a moment.

“Beng, why don’t you go and assure the others that their king is safe?” she chirped, turning to the gibbon. He paused for a moment, debated arguing with her, before he nodded and left the room. “Liù’Ěr, can you fetch some water and clean rags?”

“But…” Míhóu began before he was hushed.

“We need it to clean up Shíhóu. Unless you want your king to be covered in her own blood,” Ma chuffed. Míhóu was smart enough to look thoroughly cowed, all six ears pulled back against his head, before he left to follow her instructions. With a huff, Ma turned back to Shíhóu, and her face softened. “Now explain it to me carefully: What happened? Has anything felt off recently?”

“Like I said: I just woke up and I was bleeding,” Shíhóu trilled and shrugged. She paused to think about how she’d felt the past week. “As for recently: well, my chest has been a little sore. And I’ve had a bit of an ache in my stomach. And I guess I’ve been tired lately.”

Ma brought her hand to her chin and contemplated Shíhóu’s words. This left her to think.

Shíhóu’s body had changed a lot since becoming the Monkey King. The first change she had noticed was the shape of her chest. It had begun to grow, and she hadn’t understood why at the time. When she asked what was happening, the mothers of the troop had pulled her aside and explained that they were her breasts. There was nothing wrong with her and she was simply maturing. And at first this explanation was satisfactory; her breasts looked basically the same as the adults and she assumed the differences would go away as she got older. The next thing she had noticed was the shape of her hips. They had seemingly widened, and her hips and thighs had become soft. The plushness annoyed her because it was in contrast to her firm muscles, but it also made her uncomfortable. She’d caught the boys staring at her butt and she hated how differently they treated her now. Míhóu seemed to be the only one not obsessed with her ass, but she’d still caught him looking once or twice. The other cubs were always scolded for leering, but that didn’t make her discomfort go away.

“I think I know what is happening,” Ma chirped, interrupting Shíhóu’s thoughts. Ma reached over and brushed the king’s curls out of her eyes, before smiling warmly. “There is nothing wrong with you. While this seems scary, that doesn’t make it bad.”

“What’s happening to me?” Shíhóu trilled. Something was going on with her body and she needed answers.

“You’re growing up,” Ma cooed. “You are a very special monkey. There is great power within you. What you’re experiencing is something humans do.”

“Humans?” Shíhóu chirped, confused. She knew what humans were, even if she hadn’t seen one, but she didn’t understand why she was going through something that only happened to them. “What do humans have to do with me?”

“I’m sure you’ve noticed the way your body has been changing,” Ma grunted. Shíhóu nodded. “While it’s been unusual for a regular monkey, it’s not for a demon.”

She was a demon? The realization left Shíhóu reeling.

“It took me a bit to figure out. You’re unlike any demon I have seen. I’m not sure what’s different about you yet, but it’s what you are. You and Liù’Ěr.” Ma ran her fingers soothingly through Shíhóu’s hair. “What you are experiencing now is your cycle. Your body is telling you that it is preparing you to carry cubs. As you get older, you should only experience it once a month, the same way other females

do.”

This was a lot of information to take in. And while it was not quite reality-shattering, it still rewrote Shíhóu’s perception of herself. She was a demon, and, because of that, she was developing like a human. She didn’t quite know what to make of that. Though, this new information did help to explain her and Míhóu’s abilities. Was he developing like a human the same way she was? Shíhóu was pulled out of her musings by Míhóu charging back into the room with a dish of water and some rags.

“How is she? Is she going to be okay?” he barked, rushing over to the nest. He handed Ma the bowl and rags before giving Shíhóu a once over. Satisfied that her condition was the same as when he left, he settled back down.

“Calm down, our king is going to be fine,” Ma warbled reassuringly. She handed the king one of the rags so she could wipe the blood off her hand.

“What’s wrong?” Míhóu chirped. “What caused the bleeding?”

“Growing up,” Shíhóu grunted. She got to her hands and feet and climbed out of her nest. Taking the bowl, she walked over to the empty wash basin behind a silk screen. She placed the bowl on the table, rung the water out of a rag so it wouldn’t drip, and set about washing the bloodx from her legs. Behind her, she heard Ma instruct Liù’Ěr to help her remove the bloody fabrics. A sigh escaped Shíhóu’s lips, and she rinsed the rag in the dish of water before attempting to clean her sex. She was not looking forward to dealing with this every month for the rest of her life. A cramping in her gut made her pause and she couldn’t hold back a small whimper.

“Shíhóu?” Míhóu trilled. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she chirped, resuming her scrubbing. “Just uncomfortable.”

“The aches aren’t fun, but they will pass,” Ma assured with a coo. “I’ll have a bath drawn for you and see if we have anything for the mess.” Shíhóu listened to her retreating steps and sighed.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Míhóu chirped.

“I’m sure,” Shíhóu grunted, drying herself off. She walked out from behind the screen and flopped into the remains of her nest. “This is just something I have to deal with.” They sat in silence for a while, while Shíhóu worked up the nerve to share the new information with her best friend. “Ma and I talked about some stuff going on with you and me.”

“What stuff?” Míhóu asked, brows knitting in confusion. Shíhóu hesitated.

“How much… do you know about demons?” She trilled, cautiously.

“They’re primarily malevolent creatures that bring harm and misfortune to mortals.” Míhóu chirped. “Why? What does that have to do with us?”

“Ma says that’s what we are. Demons.” Shíhóu took a shaky breath. “That’s why we’re so different from the others. It’s also why I have to deal with this.” She gestured vaguely to her nether regions.

“What does your bleeding have to do with us being demons?” Míhóu squeaked. Shíhóu could tell he was as put off by the news as she was.

“According to Ma, I’m maturing the way a human would. All because I’m a demon,” she trilled, avoiding Míhóu’s eyes. Shíhóu was still reeling. Was she destined to bring misfortune to those around her? She was a king; she had her people to worry about. Shíhóu nervously began to play with her tail. “What about you? Are you going through anything that humans do?”

“Not that I’ve noticed,” Míhóu chirped. He noticed Shíhóu’s distress and began to pick through her curls.

“Oh, so it’s just me.”

“That might change as we get older,” he cooed, reassuringly. Shíhóu was thankful for his level head while she was still trying to find her bearings.

Ma returned with a bundle of rags, and she helped Shíhóu tie them around herself. It wasn’t particularly comfortable, but it was better than bleeding all over herself. While Ma fussed over her, other monkeys began to bring in pots of heated water to fill her bath. When the last pot was brought in, Ma began to usher Shíhóu towards the bathroom where the tub was waiting for her.

“Liù’Ěr,” Ma chirped over her shoulder. “Go find Liu, he has something important to speak to you about.”

“But…” Míhóu grunted, ready to argue. Shíhóu gave him a reassuring look before he nodded and left.

Ma guided Shíhóu towards the bathing room where the hot bath was waiting for her. Sweet smelling flowers floated in the water and a dish sat on a tray already filled with a blend of plant oil and wood ash to clean her fur with, and Shíhóu knew that dried peaches would have been ground up into it to give her fur the sweet, peachy smell that she adored. The tub itself was carved into the stone floor of the cave with a bamboo drainpipe leading outside. Her bedroom and bath were the finest in the entire manor, as insisted by her subjects when they moved into it.

Shíhóu removed the rags and waded into the tub, taking a seat on the ledge. Ma settled onto a cushion and took a ladle from the tray. She wet her king’s curls before dipping her hands into the oil.

“How are you feeling? I know this must be a lot to take in.” Ma cooed, lathering the oil into Shíhóu’s hair.

“I’ll be okay,” Shíhóu sighed. She relaxed into the feeling of fingers massaging her scalp.

“If you have any questions, I’ll try my best to answer them, my king,” Ma trilled, moving to scrub the fur on Shíhóu’s cheeks.

“It’s not every day that you find out you’re a monster,” she grunted. She closed her eyes while Ma ladled more water into her hair.

“You’re not a monster,” Ma squeaked. She grabbed a comb from the tray and ran it through Shíhóu’s hair, gently working through the tangles in her curls. “Most demons are just trying to get through life, like everyone else.”

“How do you know so much about demons?” Shíhóu chirped. She winced as Ma worked through a particularly stubborn knot.

“Did you think you and Liù’Ěr were the only demons on the mountain?” Ma warbled. She set aside the comb and lathered oil into the fur on Shíhóu’s shoulders. “I speak from experience, little one.”

“You’re a demon too?” Shíhóu warbled. She turned to look at the elder, but Ma planted a hand on the top of her head and turned her back around. One of Shíhóu’s arms was lifted out of the water so Ma could clean the fur there.

“I am,” Ma cooed, warmly. She grabbed a pick from the tray and began clearing out the dirt and dried blood from under her nails. “As are Liu, Beng and Ba. There are many demons in the troop and among the gibbons.”

“Really? But you don’t look like me and Míhóu.” The elders looked so much like the other monkeys that Shíhóu hadn’t even noticed the dissimilarity, but now that she was looking, she could see the odd proportions and the difference in her shape. But despite all of that, Ma didn’t really look like Shíhóu. None of the elder’s features were as pronounced, and her eyes were a normal color.

“I look pretty typical for a female monkey demon,” Ma chirped, switching to Shíhóu’s other arm. “But you two aren’t typical. There’s something special about both of you, but I’m not sure what. What I do know is that your powers are part of that. You can do things that I’ve never seen before. And I’ve certainly never heard of monkey demons coming out of stones or shadows.”

“So, now I’m a freak among demons instead of just monkeys?” Shíhóu grumbled, as Ma rinsed the oil off her arms.

“You’re not a freak,” Ma insisted. “It just means that you’re a very special demon. Nature has done well with your looks, too. Now, up onto the ledge, so we can get your legs and tail.”

The rest of Shíhóu’s bath went smoothly and soon she was wrapped in a drying cloth with the rags wrapped around her hips. Ma ran the comb through her hair again and groomed her fur until it was neat before she was ushered out of her room and to the dining hall for breakfast.

It took some getting used to, but she settled into her new routine. It wasn’t comfortable and it was gross, but it was something she would just have to learn to put up with.

Chapter Text

Shíhóu first noticed something was off when she learned to understand humans. She’d gotten used to being seen as less than for being a monkey, and she felt at least some of it was due to her status as a demon. But the feeling she was experiencing was different.

She first realized that people treated her differently based on her sex when she started making her own clothes. She had just started to figure out human language and tried her best to shape leaves into a skirt, like she was taught, and, having learned that high status people wore decorations, she also made a collar and a crown. It seemed fine at first; she had covered the important bits and even had an indicator of her status as a king. But she soon noticed the way people, mostly men, looked at her – namely at her breasts. The leering had made her extremely uncomfortable, and she’d resorted to covering them.

The next thing Shíhóu learned was that the pitch of her voice affected the way people saw her. Her voice in human language was soft, and most closely matched the voices of women. It confused her at first to learn that men and women sounded different; the monkeys in her troop all sounded the same, for the most part, with some individual variation. At first, she didn’t think much of it, her voice was just the way it was, but soon she started to notice how differently women were treated when compared to men. It seemed so bizarre to her. Females of her troop were treated the same as the males and the only difference in expectation was in regard to cubs. The mothers were very protective of their young and could simply do things to care for them that the fathers couldn’t, though they did help where they could. But there were so many expectations put on women that didn’t make sense to her, and humans always seemed to place the same expectations on her for being female. Shíhóu didn’t know why this bothered her.

Her next cycle brought more confusion. She pulled the rags she’d brought with her from her small bag of supplies and tied them into place the way Ma had taught her. It was routine at this point, and she didn’t think much of it when she entered the next town. What she didn’t expect was the reaction she got. Her rags were visible around her leaf skirt, and the humans weren’t happy about her willingness to “flaunt” it. It was strange that people would see it that way, as Shíhóu wasn’t particularly fond of it: it was gross, it matted her fur, she hated cramps, and it almost always made her breasts hurt. But while it was a miserable few days out of the month, she’d never felt shame in it.

Shame was a new feeling. Shíhóu had a reputation for her confidence and outgoing nature. She was impulsive, prideful, and courageous, but also compassionate and generous. Shame wasn’t a feeling typically on her radar; Liù’Ěr Míhóu would argue that she couldn’t feel it at all. She’d felt alienated by her body in the past, but never shame. Despite how foreign the feeling was, she couldn’t ignore the way it welled up inside her at the ridicule, and she avoided villages until the bleeding stopped.

One thing Shíhóu didn’t expect was the way humans disrespected her title. She was the Monkey King, a role she’d earned, but humans didn’t seem to care. Generally, it was either dismissed or brushed off, making her mad. But what really pissed her off was when people called her “Monkey Queen.” She was a king, regardless of her sex. The change confused her at first, but then she’d learned that queens were considered less than kings, and the disrespect became clear.

Shíhóu had never had problems regarding her sex before, and she couldn’t explain why it bothered her so much now. Back on Flower Fruit Mountain she was just herself; her sex was never a factor in how she was perceived. Humans, however, used it to define her and she didn’t know why it felt so wrong. It felt like her body was punishing her and it stood in direct contrast to her usually endless self-confidence. She almost didn’t recognize her own reflection, and she didn’t know what to do about it.

~x~

At some point during her journey, Shíhóu concluded that her leaf clothes wouldn’t cut it. The leaves were damaged easily, and it wasn’t practical to keep avoiding villages every time her cycle came. But she didn’t know how to make clothes, which left her only one option: she needed to buy or trade for some.

She spent some time gathering things she could trade with as she continued her journey, and she felt she had a sufficient amount by the time she reached the next town.

Shíhóu’s first stop was the market and to sell her goods for some money. She walked around for awhile, ignoring the strange looks she always got, and tracked down a tailor’s shop. The one she found looked promising and she entered the cozy, little building. Various garments were hung up around the shop and bolts of cloth in a range of colors were arranged behind the counter. Shíhóu looked around and couldn’t see the shop’s owner.

“Hello?” she called. There was some rustling in the back room and soon a middle-aged man walked through the doorway behind the counter.

“Hello, ma’am. How can…?” the man trailed off when his eyes landed on Shíhóu. “You are a monkey!”

“Yes, I’m aware,” she replied, getting tired of people’s shock – humans had a strange habit of pointing out the obvious. “I’m Shíhóu, the Monkey King. I wish to buy some clothes from you.”

“My apologies,” the man stuttered, clearly still wrapping his head around who his customer was. “Are these clothes for a particular occasion?”

“I’m traveling in search of a mountain inhabited by immortals. I need something fitting for my journey,” Shíhóu stated. Clothing was too new a concept for her to even begin to give specifics.

“I’m sure we can make something suitable for a lady on a long journey,” the man assured. He stepped around the counter and ushered her towards the back room. “I must take your body measurements to ensure your new clothes fit, and then we can discuss details.”

Shíhóu was guided to a well-lit corner of the room and the tailor began to take measurements of various parts of her body with thin strips of bamboo. When he was finished, he stepped away and began to sort through some clothes. Shíhóu took the opportunity to look around the small room. More fabrics were positioned around the room in soft, natural shades and more pieces of clothing were placed on shelves. There was a silk screen in the corner, but it wasn’t as decorated as the one in her room back on the mountain. Soon the tailor returned carrying a stack of clothes.

“Step behind the screen and try these on,” he instructed, handing Shíhóu the pile. “These should be approximately your size, and we can see if this style is to your liking.”

Shíhóu thumbed through the stack and saw more clothing items than she expected.

“And how am I supposed to wear these?” she asked, not understanding what each piece was for. “I’m new to human clothing and don’t know what all of these are.”

The tailor gave a quick apology before explaining each of the layers of clothing. The idea of undergarments was an entirely foreign concept to Shíhóu and while she didn’t understand why humans needed so many layers, she would wear them if that was how clothes worked. When the tailor was finished, he gestured towards the screen where she could change. Shíhóu stepped into the private area behind the silk screen and removed her leaf clothes. She tied the first garment (the man had called it a xeìyī) into place around her chest before pulling on the pair of jinggi. Next, she layered on the shirt, skirt and robes. Once the sash was tied around her waist, she stepped out from behind the screen.

“Is this on right?” Shíhóu asked. The clothes were ill-fitting, andss the long skirt impeded her movement. Her tail instinctively fought against the restrictive fabric, and she hoped that the clothes she actually bought would take it into consideration.

“Yes, that is right,” the tailor answered, guiding her back into the lit area of the room. He began to adjust certain parts of the fabric, pinning it into different places. When he was seemingly satisfied with the positioning, he stepped back. “This is closer to how the final garments will fit. What do you think?”

“Is it supposed to be so confining?” Shíhóu questioned. She shifted around and hated the way it affected the movement of her legs. “How am I supposed to find food and defend myself?”

“These are the clothes of a proper woman,” the man stated, as if that answered her question. “I’m sure your travel companions can protect you.”

“I have no companions. I protect  myself,” Shíhóu retorted. “My subjects are at home, where they’re safe.”

“W-well,” the tailor hesitated. “I’m sure we can find something that suits your needs.” He began sifting through more clothes, leaving Shíhóu to wander around the shop. There was something about the outfit that bothered her, but she didn’t know what. She’d been honest about it constricting her movement, but there was something else: something that fed into that feeling of not belonging in her own body. The xeìyī’s effect on the shape of her chest was nice, though, even if she wasn’t sure why. Soon, Shíhóu’s eyes landed on some items that interested her.

“What about these?” Shíhóu asked. “They look much less restricting.”

“But those clothes are for men,” the tailor insisted. Shíhóu felt her eyes roll.

“I don’t understand why you humans have to separate everything,” she grumbled. “I am a king, and I want to try these.”

“But…” the man began but was silenced by a flash of Shíhóu’s eyes. “Of course.” He began sifting through more clothes and then handed Shíhóu another stack. The pins were carefully removed from her current outfit, and she disappeared behind the screen to change.

The men’s clothes felt much more comfortable. She had seen men wear full length garments but the focus on trousers on this style was more suitable for her journey. The robe came down to her knees but was open on the sides, allowing her legs to have a full range of motion; she could probably still climb a tree in this outfit. She’d chosen to keep the xeìyī on to see if the effect on her chest was the same and she was happy to see that it was. She wasn’t sure what it was about a flatter chest that appealed to her, but she was just glad to find clothes that she didn’t hate.

“I like these clothes. They are much more suitable for a monkey,” Shíhóu asserted when she stepped out from behind the screen. She handed the other clothes to the tailor, and he sorted through them. “I’ll take these in my size, and with an opening for my tail.”

Shíhóu was instructed to change out of the outfit she was wearing so the tailor could take a full inventory of her order. She put her leaf clothes back on and they discussed colors. Once the full scope of her request was considered, she was given the price. The man weighed her currency, and she was happy to see she had enough. Shíhóu would have to stay in town while her clothes were being made, which put a delay on her journey, but there was nothing to do about it.

She left the shop and looked around; she would spend her time looking for information.

~x~

Shíhóu learned that the clothes she wore changed the way humans perceived her. The style of her outfit meant that many assumed she was male and that came with significantly more respect. It felt nice to be treated with the respect her title demanded but there was something else: the male treatment felt good. Shíhóu didn’t know why but it made her feel almost giddy in a way she just couldn’t explain.

Whatever good mood she got from being seen as male shattered every time her sex was discovered. The realization usually occurred when she spoke, and she was starting to hate her voice because of it. While speaking typically gave her away, her breasts continued to be an annoyance. Her xeìyī helped to smooth out the shape of her chest but if a human saw her from the right angle, her breasts were still obvious. The feeling of shame she’d had before morphed into something incredibly unpleasant when presented with the shift and she didn’t know what to do about it.

~x~

Finding a village full of demons wasn’t something Shíhóu had expected. The only demons she’d ever seen were monkeys like her and she was fascinated by all of the different shapes. Though there was still plenty of time left in the day, Shíhóu decided to take a look around.

It was a fascinating new experience. The demons she passed barely gave her more than a glance and she was surprised to find that none of the people she spoke to changed their perception of her upon hearing her voice. They assumed that she was male and the femininity in her voice didn’t change that. Something about that fact silenced the voice that had begun to whisper doubts in the back of her mind, and she could feel her usual self-confidence returning to her.

Shíhóu located the market and checked out the stands that were set up there. It was a fairly typical market selling cooked food, ingredients, and various other trinkets. She passed by what appeared to be an herb stand but was stopped by the old woman behind the counter.

“It’s not often that you see someone with a mismatched soul,” the other demon stated, as if she expected Shíhóu to know what that meant.

“I don’t know what that is,” she expressed. The other demon merely smiled at her.

“There is something you wish to change about yourself,” she asserted. “Everyone calls me Aunty Chun. What is your name?”

“The monkeys on my mountain call me Shíhóu, the Monkey King,” Shíhóu answered, her tail twitching behind her. “What makes you think there’s something I want to change?”

“Experience has taught me to see things about others that they can’t always see about themselves,” Aunty Chun responded, cryptically. “If you tell me what it is that you want to change, I might have something here that could do it.” The woman’s eyes flashed and Shíhóu was reminded that she was speaking to a demon.

She hesitated, not sure how or if she should answer. The voice in the back of her mind was back, whispering about the things she was starting to hate about herself – how easy it would be if she were a man. She wrapped her arms around herself and felt her tail curl around her waist. Through the fog in her mind, one thing that she would change if she could became clear.

“My voice,” Shíhóu breathed, almost appalled by how small she sounded. “I want to change my voice.”

“You wish it was deeper, don’t you?” Aunty Chun asked, roguishly. “You wish it was a man’s voice.” Warmth blossomed across Shíhóu’s cheeks, and she was at a loss for words. Aunty Chun began to sift through her herbs with a chuckle. “There’s no need to be embarrassed. You’re far from the first demon to ask for that. Sometimes the body you’re given doesn’t match who you are. The gods are far from perfect. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, it’s just who you are.”

Pieces began to click into place in Shíhóu’s head. She didn’t have a full picture yet, but she felt like she was standing on stable ground for the first time since leaving the mountain.

“In my experience, the words of humans are water off a duck’s back,” Aunty Chun mused, reducing the herbs to the consistency of tea leaves. “The best advice I can give is to be yourself. You can either choose to be happy, or to hide, and when you live as long as we do, that’s a long time to be miserable.” She wrapped the herbs into a parcel before handing Shíhóu the bundle. “Brew some of these in water like tea once a day. You should notice a change in your voice in the next month.”

“I… thank you,” said Shíhóu, giving the old woman a grateful bow. She reached into her bag and pulled out some coins to pay for the herbs. Aunty Chun gave her a warm smile and wished her luck on her journey.

Shíhóu walked back out into the market clutching the bundle to her chest. The voice in her mind began to whisper doubts again and she stamped it down. She ran through the instructions in her head and realized that she didn’t have anything to brew tea. With a sigh she began a search for stands that sold cookware and ceramics.

With a water kettle and a tea bowl in her bag, she found a place to spend the night.

~x~

Shíhóu didn’t notice the change in her voice at first. The realization had struck her like a cartload of bricks when she walked through a town without a single person calling her female. Once she noticed, she couldn’t unhear it and the new, deeper pitch of her voice sent pleasant ripples through the pool of golden energy at her core. Shíhóu felt more at home in her own body than she had since her journey began.

Her new reality shattered the moment someone noticed her breasts.

Within moments of being called a woman, all the self-confidence she had been able to restore evaporated. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d left a town so quickly.

But the feeling didn’t go away. It lingered, and she found herself paranoid of people while that voice whispered in the back of her mind. What was wrong with her? Why wasn’t all this enough?

Shíhóu found herself looking over her shoulder around people and she was beginning to hate going into towns. She was terrified of the prospect of being seen as a woman and it was pissing her off. Each pang of fear was accompanied by a swell of rage at herself. She was a king! She should not be this much of a coward.

The entire journey had been a confusing mess of thoughts and anxiety, and she didn’t know where to even began to untangle it. Every interaction with humans added more knots, and it was frustrating. The only time she had felt at ease was with other demons and that was because they didn’t question the way she looked or sounded. To other demons, she was a man, plain and simple. Her new voice had briefly returned a sense of normality to Shíhóu’s mind, and for a moment she’d been at peace with herself again. If only she could be seen as a man all the time.

Shíhóu perked up at that last thought: why couldn’t she? Why couldn’t she just tell people she was a man? Who could stop her? She already didn’t understand why humans defined each other by their genitals, so why should she? The idea put a bounce in her step, and she was determined to hold her head high around people in the future. She was a proud king, and she would make sure that everyone knew it.

Her confidence failed her the next time she was called a woman, but this time it was quickly replaced with fury. Shíhóu raged at the poor man until threats of soldiers were made, and she stormed off, not wanting to be hunted as an out-of-control demon. She walked until the sun began to set and she made camp. Her breasts were continuing to make her life difficult, and she was beginning to despise them.

The effect of Shíhóu’s xeìyī popped into her mind and she untied her robe. Once she was down to her undergarments, she began to pull on the strings in an attempt to flatten her chest. It was only marginally affective, but she hoped that tying her robes loose would make it less noticeable.

A new determination and sense of self-worth grew inside Shíhóu, and he settled in for the night.

~x~

Sun Wukong; his new name. He hadn’t expected to be given a proper name when he found the immortals, but he wasn’t going to complain. The name went well with his new image of himself, and Wukong wore it with pride.

He’d settled into a new routine since he began his training. He was wearing new clothes and was adapting to a much more structured lifestyle. But he was hesitant to change or bathe around his fellow students. They’d all accepted him as a man without question, and he didn’t want to give any of them a reason to doubt it. So, Wukong would sneak away to change his clothes, and he would only enter the baths when everyone else was asleep.

This time was particularly frustrating. His cycle had started, and he had to wrestle with his rags without the others noticing. This would all be so much easier if humans weren’t weird. He rubbed at his ribs where his xeìyī dug into his skin. A noise behind him broke him free from his thoughts and he glanced over his shoulder. Wukong realized he wasn’t alone, and he quickly wrapped his arms around his chest and submerged until the water came up to his neck. His hair had gotten long during his search and now floated around him like a golden halo.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” said Xia as she entered the bath house. “I didn’t realize anyone else was awake. Trouble sleeping?”

“No,” Wukong answered, trying to come up with an excuse. “My fur just felt a little dirty.” He hoped that would be the end of the conversation and she would go back to bed. He’d been in the bath long enough that his bleeding had slowed but he didn’t want to risk her noticing. His tail twitched nervously behind him.

“Do you need help reaching your back?” Xia asked, approaching the tub.

“No, I got it, Xia jiějiě,” Wukong quickly assured. “I was just getting out, anyway.”

“Alright,” she bubbled with a warm smile. “I’ll grab your clothes for you.”

“Wait…!” Wukong attempted to stop her, forgetting about hiding his chest, but it was too late. Xia began to pick up his clothes, pausing when she lifted his undergarments. His rags fell from his trousers and the silence that followed was deafening. “I can explain.”

“It’s alright. There’s no need to explain,” Xia soothed, kneeling at the edge of the tub. “My yuè shì isn’t very fun either.” Wukong was at a loss as to how to respond to that. This was the first time someone had seen blatant evidence of his sex and just taken it in stride. “Though, a belt would do much better with the mess than all these rags.”

“Belt?” Wukong repeated, forgetting his shock for the moment.

“You haven’t seen a belt before?” He shook his head. “Wait here, I’ll show you what I’m talking about.” Xia got up and left.

Wukong was stunned and could do nothing but watch as she ran off. After a moment, he settled back down into the tub, thoroughly confused, and ran a hand down his face. He didn’t know what to make of her reaction. He’d reluctantly gotten used to the way humans invalidated his masculinity, but Xia had not given any indication that she thought Wukong was a woman. It was a break from the norm that he didn’t know what to do with.

Soon Xia came back carrying an assortment of items. She knelt back down by the tub and laid out the things she’d brought: a comb, a roll of fabric, a small bronze mirror, and a strange bit of cloth.

“This is a belt you use for your yuè shì,” she stated, laying it out. It was a long, rectangular piece of fabric with strings attached at the corners. Xia tucked her fingers into a pocket sewn into the fabric. “You put something absorbent into here and then tie it around your waist. It’ll be much more comfortable and less noticeable through your clothes. This one is mine, but I can show you how to make one.”

“Alright,” Wukong accepted, resting his arms on the ledge. “The rags were improvised anyway.” He shrugged and gestured to the other objects. “What’s all this for?”

“I thought I could help you with your hair,” said Xia. “Your topknot always looked messy and I’m guessing no one actually taught you how.”

“Well, you’re right on that front,” Wukong agreed. He stood up and stretched, not caring if she saw him – if she were going to make a big deal out of his body, she would have done it already. “If you want to wrestle with my curls, be my guest.” He climbed out and reached for his drying cloth and rubbed most of the water from his fur. When he was satisfied, he pulled up his rags and knelt on one of the cushions in the drying area to groom himself. The skin around his ribs began to sting again and he scratched at it.

“Are you alright?” Xia asked as she settled down on the cushion behind him, cautious of his tail. She began working the comb through the knots in Wukong’s hair.

“I’m fine,” Wukong assured. “Just a little irritated.”

“Have you been wearing your xeìyī too tight?” she guessed, glancing over his shoulder. “There are better ways of reducing your bust. You could really hurt yourself doing that.”

“It’s worked so far,” Wukong shrugged. “But what would you recommend?”

“Binding,” Xia stated, working through a particularly stubborn knot. “It’ll reduce movement too.”

“How do I do that?” he asked. Wukong was handed the mirror, and he watched the way she tied up his hair. Xia some how managed to get his messy curls contained in a tidy bun. “Wow. I’ve never seen my hair this neat.”

“It just takes practice,” Xia assured, getting to her feet. “Come on, I’ll show you how to bind.” Wukong set the mirror down and followed her back over to his clothes. She picked up the roll of fabric he’d seen earlier and gestured for him to stand in front of her. “Hold up your arms.” He followed her instructions, and she began winding the cloth around his chest. When Xia was finished, she tied it off and stepped back.

Wukong shifted his shoulders and assed the way the binding felt. His chest was flatter than he’d ever been able to achieve with just his xeìyī and there wasn’t the uncomfortable feeling of rubbing he’d become accustomed to. He took a deep breath and was satisfied with the tightness.

“This is… wow,” Wukong stammered. He gave himself another once over, awed by how masculine it made him look. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Xia beamed. “I’ll get some fabric to make a belt for you, but you should probably get into bed. Master Subodhi will be mad if you’re too tired tomorrow. Try not to sleep while binding, you’ll be really sore when you wake up.” She wished him good night and left.

Wukong picked up his clothes and he started getting dress. He decided to see how the binding looked under his robes. His shirt lay flat against his chest in a way that sent a thrill through him, and he could feel his golden energy swell – he’d learned it was his well of magic. Satisfied, he removed his robes and began to unwrap his binding.

He’d learned a lot about himself since he’d left the mountain, and he was excited to see what his training had in store for him.

Chapter Text

Wukong felt excitement when he saw Flower Fruit Mountain peak over the horizon. It had been twenty years since he’d last seen his home, and he’d changed a lot since he left. He rode his cloud down to the beach where the great river met the sea. The sweet smell of fruit filled his nose, and he took in a lungful of the clean air. After a moment of nostalgia, he began the trek up the mountain to the waterfall.

Wukong’s excitement died when he realized how quiet it was. The mountain had never been loud, but there’d always been the chirping of monkeys and the singing of gibbons. The clean water of the river made it a popular spot, but now there was no one. Concerned, Wukong chirped hoping for a response. More silence. He picked up the pace towards the waterfall, worried that something had happened.

A strange noise stopped him in his tracks, and he looked around trying to place it. Movement caught the corner of his eye, but when he turned, he couldn’t see anything. Reflexively, Wukong took a fighting stance, ready to handle any threat. Before he could respond, a dark void opened beneath his feet, and he fell through it. For a brief moment his vision was consumed by a cold, black abyss and then his back hit the ground, and his view of the sun returned. Someone pinned him before he could get to his feet and Wukong was met with glowing, purple eyes.

When the spots cleared from his vision, he was given a clear view of his adversary. They were a tall, dark-furred monkey demon with three pairs of ears.

“Liù’Ěr?” Wukong chirped. Míhóu’s ears twitched and his eyes faded back to gold as recognition set in.

“Shíhóu?” he squeaked, easing off Wukong. They both sat up and Míhóu soon found himself enveloped in a hug.

“I go by Sun Wukong, now,” he trilled, pulling back so he could see Míhóu’s face. He’d grown taller than his king since Wukong left, and he now had to look up to talk to his best friend. They both got to their feet and gave each other a once over. Míhóu had filled out over the past 20 years, and his muscles were strong under his dark fur. His wavy hair was as wild as ever. “You’re getting good at that.”

“What happened to you? You look and sound so different,” Míhóu grunted.

“I learned some things about myself,” Wukong began, nervously. He didn’t think Míhóu would care or judge him, but humans had given him anxiety about it. “I prefer to be seen as male.”

“Oh,” Míhóu chirped, clearly confused, and Wukong was reminded that he didn’t have the same context. The other monkey was as blissfully unaware about gender as he’d been before leaving. “Alright. But why?”

“I don’t know,” Wukong shrugged. “It just feels right.” He glanced around, shocked that the trees were still empty. “Where is everyone?”

“You may want to wait until we get back to the manor,” Míhóu cooed. His ears sagged and his tail began to droop. Wukong was immediately concerned, and he wasted no time in grabbing him and summoning his cloud, ignoring Míhóu’s protests.

Wukong dropped them both off at the waterfall, barely stopping before running across the steppingstones. He summoned his magic and activated the enchantment on the falls. The moment the curtain had opened he was charging up the stairs and soon the manor was in sight. Throwing open the doors, he made a beeline for the throne room, passing by several monkeys. By the time he’d gotten there, the manor was filled with activity and the sound of chirps and barks. Beng and Liu were startled by the sudden commotion but quickly dropped into a kowtow when they saw their king.

“Your Majesty!” Beng screeched. “You’ve returned!”

“I wish we could offer you a proper welcome home,” Liu trilled, getting back to his hands and feet. “But we are in the middle of a crisis.”

“What crisis?” Wukong demanded, settling down into his throne, pulling his legs into the lotus position. “Where are Ma and Ba? Someone bring them here, now.” On the other side of the room, he saw Liù’Ěr emerge from a shadow.

“They were taken by a demon,” Beng chirped, bowing respectfully. “He calls himself Hùnshì Mówáng, the Monstrous King of Havoc. He’s been abducting monkeys for months.”

Wukong was enraged. Some demon had the audacity to come to his mountain and take his subjects. It was a crime against his kingdom, and the Monkey King would not stand for it.

“I want all the information you have on this demon,” Wukong barked, getting to his feet. “I’ll take care of him myself.”

~x~

Wukong was swarmed by his monkeys the moment he’d freed them. He was glad that they were happy to see him and that they were all okay.

“It’s good to see you back, my King,” Ma cooed, bowing. Ba followed her lead before shooing the monkeys clinging to Wukong’s clothes.

“It’s unfortunate that you couldn’t have returned to better circumstances,” Ba trilled, rubbing at his wrists. He lifted one of the cubs, who immediately clung to his fur.

“It’s fine,” Wukong chirped. “I’m just glad you’re all safe now.”

“We can talk about your travels and welcome you home properly when we return to the manor,” Ma grunted, picking up the other cub.

Wukong led them all outside and helped them onto his cloud. They flew back to the waterfall at a sedate pace. The cloud could move much faster, but he didn’t want to scare his monkeys, so he opted for a leisurely flight. He dropped them at the falls and activated the enchantment. The monkeys excitedly ran up the stairs to the manor, the cubs releasing their grip on Ma and Ba’s fur. Wukong smiled before following them up.

When they reached the manor, they were met with a chorus of chirps and trills and soon Wukong was swarmed.

“Allow our King room to walk,” Beng grunted. He stopped at the edge of the crowd with Liu close behind him. “I’m sure she’ll have much to say to us once she’s settled in.” Wukong instinctively stiffened at being referred to as female and had to remind himself that they weren’t aware of his discomfort. He saw Míhóu across the room and smiled, getting a small one in return.

“I’ll take her Majesty to her room,” Ma chirped, parting the crowd. “Have some water heated for the King’s bath and gather some fresh peaches.” Several monkeys scattered at her orders, and Wukong was ushered out of the room.

Ma guided him to his chambers, and Wukong was excited to see that his room was clean and just as he left it. He dropped his bag onto the floor and flopped dramatically into his nest. The blankets and linens smelled like peach blossoms, and he hummed pleasantly at the familiar scent. Ma chuckled at the display and Wukong chose to ignore her.

After taking a few moments to enjoy the feeling of being home, he reluctantly sat up and removed his shoes. Wukong was still in his training robes – he really had to get more clothes – and he untied his socks and unwrapped his feet. He clenched and spread his toes, still unused to the feeling of having them confined, especially considering the shoes weren’t really designed to be worn by monkeys. Knowing that a bath was coming, Wukong reached up to untie his topknot. He shook out his curls and his long hair fell in a fluffy cloud around his shoulders.

Ma laughed again and sat down next to him.

“I’m sure you have quite the story to tell,” she cooed, picking through his hair. Wukong relaxed into the familiar feeling of being groomed. “People don’t typically come back from journeys like yours unchanged. And I can see at least one way you’ve changed.”

So Wukong explained to her about the things he had seen and learned, the realization he’d had about himself, and his new name. As he spoke, monkeys began to carry in jars of heated water, and a gibbon placed a basket of fresh peaches in front of him with a bow.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a mismatched soul,” Ma chirped, getting to her hands and feet. She walked over to the door to Wukong’s bathing room and waited for him to follow. “It’s quite rare.”

“That’s the second time I’ve heard that,” Wukong trilled, following her into the other room. He removed his robes and his trousers and began the process of undoing his binding. “What does it mean?”

“Well,” Ma chirped, settling down on the edge of the tub. “The saying goes that sometimes when we reincarnate our souls receive a body that is a different sex from our previous bodies. We don’t remember our past lives, but our soul does, and that can lead to the feeling that our current sex is wrong. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s always special when it does.”

“I suppose that makes sense,” Wukong grunted, settling into the tub. He closed his eyes while Ma ladled water into his hair. She lathered peach scented oil into his curls and worked it through the knots with a comb. “Most of the humans I encountered couldn’t wrap their heads around it.”

“It’s not a concept any humans I’ve met have been familiar with,” Ma trilled, rinsing the oils from Wukong’s hair. “Demons are usually aware of it and tend to be very accepting. Celestials are hit or miss.”

“I plan on making an announcement about all of this,” Wukong cooed. “I also want to see us safe and respected like an actual kingdom. I’m tired of not being seen as a real king.”

“We’ll happily assist you in whatever way you feel is necessary,” Ma chirped, bowing her head.

Wukong had a few ideas.

~x~

The forest was filled with the clashing sound of shadows against enchanted iron. Wukong blocked a swing from Míhóu’s staff. He ducked below the next strike and swept his legs out from under him. Míhóu dropped into a portal and Wukong quickly looked around trying to find his exit point. He felt something grab his ankle and he was violently pulled into an abyss. Determined to win, Wukong grabbed hold of Míhóu as they emerged on the other end of the portal and flipped them. Míhóu was pinned with Wukong’s staff hovering over his head.

“Looks like I win again,” Wukong declared, with a smirk. He’d been teaching Míhóu how to speak human and they had gotten into the habit of using it. “But you are getting better.”

“No thanks to you,” Liù’Ěr grumbled, shoving Wukong off him.

Wukong laughed and returned his staff to its hiding place in his ear. He got to his feet and offered the other monkey a hand, pulling him up. Míhóu brushed dirt off his clothes and wipe the sweat from his forehead. They had been sparring for a couple of hours at that point, and they were both starting to smell.

“Well, I’m beat,” Wukong stated, rubbing at his ribs – his binding was starting to chafe. “How about a swim? Afterwards we can groom each other’s fur.” Míhóu nodded before dropping into a shadow.

Wukong summoned his cloud and made his way up the mountain. He found the private spring with water deep enough to swim in nestled within a bamboo grove. Míhóu was there waiting for him. He had already removed his apron skirt and neckerchief and was untying the dai holding his ru closed. Wukong’s feet had barely touched the ground before he was kicking his boots off and removing his apron. His blue neckerchief was tossed aside along with his bonnet, and he quickly untied his own ru. Free of his clothes first, Míhóu charged into the water while Wukong was still struggling with his undergarments.

“No fair!” he shouted, untying his xeìyī. “You wear less clothes than me!” Wukong moved on to his binding, adding it to his pile of clothes. He jumped into the water, aiming to splash Míhóu. Breaking the surface, Wukong laughed at the way his messy hair clung to his face, his red mask peeking through the black strands.

Míhóu brushed his hair out of his face, a mischievous look in his eyes. They lit up purple and, before Wukong could react, a shadow opened over the King’s head and water was dumped onto him. Wukong was stunned, his curls now a soggy mop, while Míhóu cackled at him. He glared at Míhóu and splashed him, starting a water fight. They played until they were both laughing too hard to breathe; the sun had already set.

They laid on the mossy stones and watched the stars together.

~x~

Wukong smiled as he watched Míhóu perform one of the stories they had been told as kids. A group of cubs watched shadows dance along the cave walls, bringing the tales to life. The visuals added a layer of depth that had been absent when they had heard them as cubs. It always warmed Wukong’s heart to watch Míhóu with the cubs; he was really good with them. The villain of the story appeared ominously in the shadows and the little ones chittered anxiously. Their fear turned to excitement as the hero appeared to bravely slay the monster. Míhóu wrapped up his tale in time for the cubs’ mothers to call them away for grooming.

Míhóu dissipated his magic, and he turned when he heard Wukong clapping.

“You’re really good at that,” he beamed, crossing the room the stand next to his friend. “The cubs love it.”

“How long were you watching?” Míhóu asked, stepping down from the platform.

“Long enough,” Wukong shrugged. “I missed the beginning, but I got to see the best part.”

“Don’t you have ‘kingly duties’ to attend to?” Míhóu probed, sarcastically, and he laughed when Wukong elbowed him.

“I’m all set for now,” Wukong said with a grin. “I was wondering if you wanted to grab some fruit and watch the clouds with me?”

“Alright,” Míhóu answered before giving a mocking bow. “Whatever you wish, your Majesty.” Wukong smacked him with his tail and summoned his cloud.

“Wanna take the scenic route?” Wukong asked, holding out his hand.

“I guess we can do that,” Míhóu sighed, taking the offered hand. He was pulled onto the King’s cloud and settled down for the trip.

Wukong flopped down in front of him, and they left on a relaxing flight to the nearest patch of fruit trees. Predictably, Wukong immediately narrowed in on the peach trees, while Míhóu opted for plums. The Monkey King plucked an orange hair from his head and blew on it, willing it into the shape of a basket with his magic. Picking their fill, they flew down the beach and settled under a large tree.

The two sat there until the sun began to set below the horizon, laughing and enjoying their favorite fruits. They were so lost in each other’s company that they didn’t notice the way their tails intertwined.

~x~

Wukong woke up to the familiar feeling of cramps in his lower abdomen. With a groan, he wrapped his arms around his waist and pressed himself further into his blankets. He could hear the early morning activity within the manor, and tried his best to ignore it, having already decided that he was only getting out of bed in an emergency.

He didn’t know how long he laid there, tuning out the world around him, before there was a knock on his door.

“Wukong?” Míhóu called through the lacquered wood. “Are you alright? You’re usually up by now.”

“I’m fine,” Wukong grumbled. “Just bad cramps.” Míhóu opened the door enough to pop his head into the room, quietly asking for permission to enter the King’s chambers. Wukong waved him in and propped himself up in the nest. His loose shirt showed off the fur on his arms and his curls were a frizzy mess from sleeping. Míhóu sat down in the nest next to him. He was fully dressed but had chosen not to wear his boots.

“You going to be okay?” he asked, their arms and tails brushing.

“Yeah,” Wukong sighed, leaning into him. “Do you think I could convince Ma to let me stay in bed all day?”

“If you play up how pitiful you are, maybe. Though you would have to deal with her mothering,” Míhóu chuckled. “Can I groom you?” he cooed. Wukong gave an affirming grunt and hummed pleasantly at the relaxing feeling of fingers working through his fur.

Míhóu started with his hair, carefully working out the knots and mseparating his golden curls. Soon Wukong’s hair was soft and fluffy again and he pulled it up into a loose topknot. Míhóu was working through the fur on his arm when there was another knock. Wukong squeaked an answer.

“Feeling lazy this morning, my King,” Ma scolded, entering the room. She had on the blue ruqun she wore when out of her armor and no shoes. “You still have lessons, and your subjects are wondering where you are.”

“I have cramps,” Wukong groaned. “They’re really bad today.” He placed his hands over his womb, where he could feel his body punishing him, to emphasize his point. “Can’t I take a day off?” He knew from experience that bad cramps sometimes made him nauseous, and he was really hoping to spend the day relaxing in his room – maybe he should request a bath.

Ma sighed and sat down on the edge of the nest. She fluffed one of the cushions and placed it neatly along the inner edge.

“You can’t take time off every time you have your cycle,” she chided.

“I know,” Wukong sighed. “It’s just for today. I really don’t feel up to socializing. If you need me for something, I’ll handle it, but I just wanna stay in bed and maybe take a bath.”

“Alright,” Ma acquiesced, getting to her feet. “I’ll have both of your breakfasts brought here.” She straightened her skirts and left Wukong and Míhóu.

Míhóu returned to grooming Wukong’s fur, and the King relaxed into it.

“I hope you’re prepared for her to baby you,” Míhóu teased. He pulled a tick from Wukong’s fur and popped it between his teeth.

“I think I’ll be okay,” Wukong chuckled. A content sigh left his throat, and he leaned into Míhóu’s hands. His contentment was ruined by another harsh cramp. He clutched his abdomen and curled in on himself with a groan.

“You alright?” Míhóu asked, concerned. His fingers were removed from Wukong’s fur, and he began to rub soothing circles into the king’s back.

“Yeah,” Wukong answered, voice strained. “I think my womb hates me.” He felt Liù’Ěr’s tail wrap around his own and his cheeks warmed at the feeling. There was another knock on the door and a handful of monkeys entered carrying dishes of food and a basket of fruit. They were placed at the edge of the nest before the monkeys bowed and scurried out of the room.

Wukong ate a few lychees and grabbed a peach. They chatted while they ate, enjoying each other’s company. When they finished Wukong yawned.

“Tired?” Míhóu asked, returning to rubbing circles on his back.

“Mhmm,” Wukong murmured, fighting to keep his eyes open. He leaned into the soothing feeling of Míhóu’s hand and, without realizing it, rested his head on his shoulder. Míhóu stiffened at the sudden contact but quickly relaxed and wrapped his arm around Wukong’s shoulders.

Gently, Míhóu lowered the king into the nest. Wukong snuggled into his chest and wrapped his tail around his leg. Resigning himself to his fate, Míhóu settled down for a nap.

~x~

It was sunset when Wukong tracked down Míhóu in the forest. He sat in a clearing in the lotus position. His eyes were closed, and his ears were unfolded like lotus petals, the colors on full display. The shadows from the trees were all tilted towards him as he channeled his magic.

Míhóu’s ears twitched as Wukong stepped off his cloud. The shadows dispersed as he opened his eyes and loosened his posture.

“To what do I owe the honor, Your Majesty,” Míhóu teased.

“I was just wondering if you wanted to go stargazing,” Wukong proposed, voice hopeful. Lately, it seemed like there was a strange energy to their interactions. Something had shifted between them since they’d slept in each other’s arms and Wukong wasn’t sure what it was. What he did know was that being around Míhóu felt good. Butterflies came to life within his chest when they spent time together and Wukong missed the feeling when they were apart.

“Alright, I guess,” Míhóu accepted. He got to his feet and brushed the dirt and grass from his clothes.

Warmth blossomed across Wukong’s cheeks – a feeling he was starting to become very familiar with – and called over his cloud. He already had a spot picked out and he took off as soon as they were both settled. They flew to the very top of the mountain, where Wukong’s stone sat on its pedestal. It had become a sacred site since he had become the Monkey King, and the monkeys would sometimes leave offerings – he had a suspicion that monkey demons were also making a pilgrimage there without his knowledge.

Wukong stopped his cloud above the tree that grew there and got comfortable next to Míhóu. The sky above them was clear and the stars were just beginning to sparkle. Their shoulders brushed and their tails intertwined. Warmth returned to Wukong’s cheeks, and he rested his head on Míhóu’s shoulder, basking in his warmth. He released a content sigh through his nose, taking in the scent of plum blossoms and wisteria that always clung to Míhóu’s fur. Wukong embarrassingly wondered if he enjoyed the smell of peach blossoms that he scented his fur and clothes with.

Wukong’s eyes drifted from the stars, and he found himself watching their light reflected in Míhóu’s golden eyes. They seemed to glow against his dark coloring, like a signal fire on a city wall, his black hair billowing in the cool evening breeze like smoke. Wukong’s blush deepened as he took in every detail of Míhóu’s handsome face. He was so lost in thought that he almost missed it when Míhóu turned to look at him.

“Wukong?” Míhóu asked, snapping him out of his reverie. “Are you alright?”

“Y-yeah!” Wukong stuttered. Míhóu’s face was close, and he could feel the butterflies swarming in his chest. “I’m fine. It’s just really nice up here… with you.”

Pink dusted Míhóu’s cheeks and his ears fluttered. They fell back into silence gazing into each other’s eyes, and that pull that had been between them was stronger than ever. Wukong instinctively glanced down at Míhóu’s lips and found himself wondering what they tasted like. Their noses brushed and Wukong couldn’t remember how they got so close.

“Wukong?” Míhóu asked, voice airy.

“Yeah?” Wukong breathed, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. His tongue peaked out to wet his lips and he saw Míhóu’s eyes track the motion.

“What are we doing?” he questioned, his eyes hooded.

“I don’t know,” Wukong whispered. Their lips brushed and his eyes fluttered closed. “But I want to find out.”

The moment their lips pressed together sparks went off in Wukong’s mind. Ripples rolled through his magic well and Wukong sighed. His hands fisted in Míhóu’s ru, afraid he would disappear if he let go, and he felt Liù’Ěr’s fingers weave through his curls. Soon, the need for air overrode the desire to continue and they pulled away to breathe.

“Míhóu,” Wukong gasped, catching his breath. The other’s face was flushed, and he could feel the heat in his own cheeks. “Should we…?”

“Wukong,” Míhóu interrupted, equally out of breath. “Shut up.”

The next press of lips was firmer, more insistent. Míhóu gripped Wukong’s hair, and his other hand landed on his hip. Wukong pulled on Míhóu’s robes, and he slid a hand up his shoulder. Without thinking – and Wukong didn’t have brain power to spare at that moment – he tilted his head, deepening the kiss. Míhóu matched the motion, and they clung to each other, tails wrapping around each other’s waists.

Míhóu nipped Wukong’s lip, and the King gasped at the feeling. Liù’Ěr parted his lips and the hand gripping Wukong’s hair found purchase on his waist. The King’s arms draped over his shoulders, clinging to him like their lives depended on it. Their tongues brushed against each other and Wukong moaned at the thrill it sent down his spine. Míhóu groaned as he explored his king’s mouth; his grip tightened on Wukong’s hip, and the golden monkey was pulled into his lap. Wukong’s hands tangled in Míhóu’s hair, and the ribbon was pulled from his topknot in response, knocking his hat out of the way. Heat began to pool between Wukong’s legs, and he shivered when Míhóu’s hand glided up his spine.

They soon separated, panting, and pressed their foreheads together, not wanting to lose physical contact with each other. Golden eyes met, each a pool of unknown depth, and they both seemed ready to drown. They had no words to describe what had happened, each one seemed inadequate to properly express the weight of it.

Without speaking, Wukong settled into Míhóu’s arms, and they watched the stars together.

~x~

That first kiss beneath the stars had changed something between Wukong and Míhóu. The pull between them had gotten stronger, and Wukong couldn’t seem to stop thinking about him. The kiss had created a shift in their interactions, and it was like they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. They snuck sweet kisses when they thought no one was watching and found as many opportunities as possible to hide away on the mountain and truly explore each other. Those kisses always came with the clashing of teeth and wandering hands. Each press of lips was a new thrill and the times Wukong’s generals, Ma especially, almost caught them only seemed to heighten the excitement.

But their duties couldn’t be neglected either. Wukong was still the mountain’s king, and Míhóu his warrior. The disapproving looks he was getting from Ma as of late told him he wasn’t always successful at juggling everything.

“I win again!” Wukong declared, grinning down at Míhóu. One of Wukong’s duties was to continue training him, and it came with the added benefit of alone time. He returned his staff to his ear and sat back on his haunches. A few golden curls fell into his face as he rested his chin on Míhóu’s chest.

“Do you have to brag about it every time we spar?”  Míhóu asked, resting a hand on Wukong’s back. Their tails intertwined and they basked in each other’s presence.

“Only until you beat me,” Wukong teased. He found Míhóu’s free hand and wove their fingers together. “You are getting better, though.”

“So, you keep saying,” Míhóu grumbled. He rubbed circles into Wukong’s back and the King gave a pleased hum. “Sometimes, I wish you would stop talking.”

“Why don’t you make me?” Wukong challenged. Their noses brushed as he coquettishly leaned into Míhóu’s space.

“Gladly,” Míhóu accepted before capturing Wukong’s lips.

The kiss was hot and greedy, as they fought for control. Wukong let go of Míhóu’s hand, supporting his weight on his arm, and Míhóu gripped Wukong’s waist and hips. A moan escaped Wukong’s throat when Míhóu’s tongue began to explore his mouth, and he fisted his hand in the other’s ru. Míhóu’s hands glided up Wukong’s back before tossing his bonnet aside and pulling the ribbon from his hair. His hand tangled in Wukong’s curls while the other returned to his hip, trailing down Wukong’s spine, leaving fire in its wake. Wukong gasped at the sensation and ran his hands over Míhóu’s chest, taking in the feeling of his strong muscles through his clothes. Míhóu groaned at the sensation of Wukong’s exploration and, without thinking, the hand on his hip slid to his butt.

Wukong shivered and his tail curled at the new sensation; he moaned and felt heat pool between his legs. Loving the reaction, Míhóu squeezed, and his hips bucked when Wukong whined. His hand brushed against the base of Wukong’s tail, and the king whimpered in response. More noises were rung out of him as Míhóu massaged his tail, and Wukong broke the kiss with a moan; he ground his hips into Míhóu’s lap, throwing his head back.

With a growl, Liù’Ěr flipped their positions, pinning Wukong to the ground, and pressed kisses to his neck. He sucked marks into Wukong’s skin, hand still groping his ass. Wukong clung to him, one leg thrown over his hip, their hips grinding against each other. The forest around them was filled with the sound of Wukong’s arousal. He could feel the growing dampness in his zhongku, and every brush of Míhóu’s hardness sent thrills up his spine.

“M-maybe,” Wukong stammered. “Maybe we should – ah! – should head back to the manor – mmm – b-before we’re caught.”

“Your chambers or mine?” Míhóu panted into his ear. His hips ground circles into Wukong’s groin and he groaned.

“M-mine.”

Míhóu leaned back, eyes glowing purple, and held out his hand. A shadow placed Wukong’s hat and hair ribbon into his palm and a portal opened beneath them. Wukong’s vision blacked out and soon his back was hitting the soft silks of his nest.

Their lips locked again as soon as they exited the portal; they fisted their hands in each other’s clothes, desperate for physical contact. Wukong pulled at the knot in Míhóu’s red dai, loosening the tie of his apron. It slipped off his hips and was unceremoniously thrown across the room. Wukong untied his blue neckerchief and Míhóu sucked and nipped at the newly exposed skin. The King gasped, pleasure shooting through his mind, almost missing it when Míhóu grabbed his tiger skirt and used his shadows to pull it from his body.

“Míhóu,” Wukong gasped when fangs grazed his neck. He pulled at Míhóu’s ru, blindly searching for the tie; his robes were also turned to shadow and pulled from his body, revealing his xeìyī. Finally managing to work his fingers through the knot, Wukong pulled open Míhóu’s ru and zhongyi. He ran his hands over the other’s chest, feeling the muscles underneath the xeìyī, panting as his shoulders were nipped and sucked.

Míhóu pulled the ribbons of Wukong’s xeìyī loose, tossing it across the room, before pressing kisses to his collar bone. He ran his hands up the golden monkey’s sides, fingers brushing against his binding.

“Can I remove this?” Míhóu asked, leaning back so he could look Wukong in the eyes.

Wukong nodded, trying to catch his breath as Míhóu’s magic was used to toss the wrapped fabric aside; Míhóu’s ru soon joined it.

The feeling of hands on his breasts sent bolts of lightning down Wukong’s spine, culminating in heated tingles between his legs. His tail wrapped around Liù’Ěr’s thigh as his back arched. He threw his head back and moaned as his nipples were teased, and he clung to Míhóu’s fur. A line of teasing kisses was placed down his chest and Wukong gasped when teeth were pressed into one of his breasts. Míhóu experimentally licked one of his nipples, drawing a whimper from Wukong’s lips, and reached around for his ass and tail. He slipped his hand into Wukong’s ku and kneaded the sensitive patch at the base of his tail; Wukong cried out as his mind was flooded with wonderful sensations.

As wonderful as Wukong felt, he couldn’t help but think that Míhóu was being left out. While the other was clearly enjoying the sounds of his pleasure, he was receiving little to none himself. His hands glided down Míhóu’s chest and abs and began to play with the hem of his trousers. One hand found his hardness, causing his hips to buck, and his groan sent delicious vibrations through Wukong’s chest. In response to the fingers stimulating his length, Míhóu removed his hand from Wukong’s tail – the King whined at the loss of contact – and cautiously slid it around his hip.

“Míhóu!” Wukong gasped the moment fingers brushed against his core. Míhóu returned to sucking his neck and shoulders while he explored his lower lips. A finger brushed against his clit and Wukong cried out at the feeling. He circled around Wukong’s opening and groaned at the gathered slick.

“Fuck,” Míhóu moaned, spreading it through his folds. “You’re already so wet.”

Wukong’s hips twitched when fingers slid over his clit. Míhóu paused in his exploration and experimentally stroked it a few times. The sudden rush of pleasure curled Wukong’s toes, and his head fell back with a silent cry. Encouraged by his reaction, Míhóu continued to rub the sensitive bud, watching the pleasure on his King’s face. Wukong gripped his fur and tugged on his trousers, simultaneously pushing him away and pulling him closer. The pressure on his clit increased and his legs tried to snap closed, stopped by Míhóu’s hips, and he couldn’t stop the cascade of sounds that left his mouth. Tension began to rise in Wukong’s gut, and the bucking of his hips matched the rhythm against his nub. He clenched his eyes shut, clutching at his blankets and chanting Míhóu’s name, as the rope in his stomach was pulled tighter and tighter.

The cord finally snapped and Wukong’s mind and body were flooded with more pleasure than he’d ever experienced. His back bowed, his legs trembling, and his hips bucked wildly. He cried out as the wave was amplified by the continued pressure against his clit. As the pleasure ebbed, he was left overstimulated, and he tried to move his hips away from Míhóu’s fingers. Míhóu carefully removed his hand from Wukong’s trousers and sat back on his haunches while the King caught his breath.

“You alright?” Míhóu asked, concerned.

“Yeah… just need to catch my breath.” Wukong draped an arm over his eyes and took a few deep breaths. He uncovered his eyes and was met with the sight of Míhóu inspecting the slick on his fingers; his erection was still visible through his red ku. “What?”

“Is it weird that I’m wondering what you taste like?” Míhóu wondered, rubbing his fingers together. Wukong’s already flushed face burned at the image of being tasted.

“W-well, I guess it’s not that weird.”

Cautiously, Míhóu licked one of his fingers and groaned at the taste. They locked eyes and Wukong whined at the sight of each finger entering his mouth one by one. His opening clenched and he felt slick squeeze out into his trousers. A glance down confirmed the presence of a wet patch in his ku.

“Maybe, we should take off the rest of our clothes,” Wukong suggested. “We’ll get a better look at each other that way.” Míhóu blinked and took a moment to process his words before he smirked.

“As you wish, your Majesty.” He sat back from between Wukong’s legs and removed his boots.

It took Wukong a moment to register the sudden change in position but was soon kicking off his own boots and untying his socks. Soon their trousers joined their other clothes, and they were left completely bare. They had seen each other naked before – they’d never been shy – but looking at each other in that context changed their entire perception of each other’s bodies. Míhóu’s dick stood proud from the apex of his thighs and Wukong’s pussy was already dripping onto the silk blankets. After a moment to take each other in, Míhóu ran his fingers through the fur of Wukong’s thighs before coming to rest on his ass. He used his thumbs to spread the King’s lower lips and admire his most sensitive area.

Míhóu lowered himself further into the nest until his face was mere inches from Wukong’s weeping pussy; Wukong shivered at the feeling of his breath on his sensitive folds. Cautiously, Míhóu ran his tongue up his cunt and Wukong gasped at the sensation. Clearly encouraged by his reaction, Míhóu dove in, motions clumsy, as he eagerly chased his King’s pleasure. He lapped at Wukong’s clit wringing moans and cries from the golden monkey.

“Oh, fuck!” Wukong cried at a particular swipe. His toes gripped Míhóu’s fur, and he tangled his fingers in his black hair.

Míhóu groaned and the vibration of his tongue left Wukong trembling. He cursed at a harsh swipe across his clit before the wet heat of Míhóu’s tongue moved to circle his opening. The gathered slick was eagerly lapped up, Míhóu moaning at the taste, and soon his tongue slipped past his ring. Wukong moaned at the feeling of being penetrated.

The sensation of movement inside him was ecstasy, and Wukong couldn’t stop his hips from grinding into Míhóu’s mouth. He was being fucked by the other’s tongue and the cord in his gut started to tighten. Míhóu removed his tongue and sucked on Wukong’s clit.

“Fuck! Míhóu!” Wukong almost scream at the sudden tidal wave of pleasure. The coil tightened more, and he already knew he was going to come again.

Wukong gasped as fingers circled his opening before Míhóu paused and looked up at him, silently asking for permission. Wukong nodded enthusiastically and moaned as two fingers entered his wet heat. The way they pressed against his walls as Míhóu explored was divine, and the tension in his gut spiked. Míhóu began to periodically thrust and spread his fingers and Wukong groaned. A third finger was soon added and the way they pressed against his walls was delicious. The attention to his clit soothed any discomfort from the stretch and Míhóu quickly added a fourth finger. Wukong struggled to breathe as the pleasure continued to build. He came with a cry, legs trembling, and walls clenching down on Míhóu’s fingers.

Míhóu carefully removed his fingers when Wukong’s muscles relaxed. He sat up, straddling the King’s hips, and took in the orange monkey’s debauched expression. A groan escaped the other and Wukong opened his eyes to the view of Míhóu spreading his slick over his cock.

“You ready?” he asked, sliding his dick through Wukong’s folds

“Fuck yes!”

With Wukong’s enthusiastic response, Míhóu lined himself up with the King’s entrance and carefully pressed the head past the ring of muscles. They both groaned at the feeling and Míhóu dropped to his hands when Wukong’s walls clenched. Wukong gripped Míhóu’s fur as he slowly hilted himself; Liù’Ěr gave an experimental shift of his hips and Wukong grunted in discomfort.

“Wait,” Wukong blurted, voice strained. His walls were stretched uncomfortably around the other’s girth, and he was not used to being filled so completely. “Give me a moment.”

Míhóu settled onto his arms and peppered kisses along Wukong’s neck and shoulders. He sucked another mark into Wukong’s skin and trailed more kisses along his jaw before joining their lips. As their tongues danced, Wukong’s arms wound around Míhóu’s back, pulling him closer, and a hand guided his leg over the other’s hip. The movement shifted Míhóu inside of him and he moaned against his lips.

“How are you feeling?” Míhóu panted, rolling his hips with a groan.

“Like I need you to fuck me!” Wukong groaned. His tail wrapped around Míhóu’s thigh and tried to pull him closer.

Míhóu gave an experimental thrust, and they both moaned at the feeling of his cock sliding against the King’s inner walls. He moved his hips again, more forcefully, and Wukong gasped. Satisfied that Wukong was enjoying it, Míhóu pulled out until only the head remained and then thrust his hips, fully hilting in a single stroke. Wukong moaned as he continued to thrust into the golden monkey’s wet heat, finding a rhythm that sent pleasurable fire through Wukong’s veins. But as great as he felt, it wasn’t enough.

“Faster,” Wukong begged. He needed more. He wanted his entire world to center on that moment, around the feeling of Míhóu’s hard cock inside his dripping cunt.

Míhóu swiftly granted Wukong’s request, speeding the motion of his hips. It still wasn’t enough.

“Harder – ah!” Wukong moaned. Míhóu thrusted with more force and groaned when Wukong’s walls tightened around him. “More! Harder… faster!”

Míhóu obliged as Wukong chanted his name, continuing to beg for more; he dropped to his elbows and grit his teeth while driving his cock into his king’s cunt. Wukong clung to his fur and threw his legs around Míhóu’s waist, changing the angle of his hips, and he almost sobbed as something sensitive was struck inside him, sending bolts of lightning up his spine with each pass.

“Gods, I’m close!” he cried, loud enough that he would have worried about waking someone up if he had the capacity to care. The cord in his stomach was being pulled to its limit, and he didn’t know how long he would be able to keep it from snapping.

“Fuck, me too,” Míhóu groaned. The rhythm of his hips was beginning to falter as he approached his end.

Pleasure crashed over Wukong like a tidal wave as the rope snapped. He screamed Míhóu’s name, his cock continuing to drive into his cunt. His walls squeezed down and Míhóu’s hips stuttered. A few thrusts later and he came with gritted teeth, shooting hot seed deep inside Wukong’s welcoming passage.

They rode out their orgasms and caught their breath as their muscles relaxed. Míhóu pressed their foreheads together and they basked in each other’s presence. Wukong’s mind was sluggish, and it took him a moment to realize that Míhóu was still hard inside him. His hips began to rock, seemingly without him realizing it, and Wukong whimpered as his cock slid against his over-sensitive walls. Míhóu paused at his noise, and he leaned down to press a sweet kiss to his lips. It stood in contrast to every other kiss that night; it was not frantic or desperate, and it lacked much of the earlier heat.

After a moment to relax, Míhóu’s hips gently started to rock, and Wukong’s nerves lit up all over again. He moaned against Míhóu’s lips, their tongues making contact again. They kept it slow, holding each other. Whatever desperate energy they had before was gone and in its place was something quieter, more intimate.

They kept that pace for awhile, simply indulging in each other; the previous energy didn’t return until they neared their end. The pull of their orgasms overrode their desire for simple closeness and soon they were chasing their pleasure. Wukong came again with a moan; it wasn’t as earth-shattering as the others, but it rolled through him wiping thoughts from his mind. Míhóu thrusted through his climax, drawing it out, until he came with a groan.

They both panted, coming down from their high. Míhóu’s arms shook, and he rolled to the side, pulling out in the process. A shiver ran through Wukong’s body as their mixed fluids leaked from his sore pussy. He lacked the energy to move and made only a tired chirp as he was pulled into Míhóu’s arms. Wukong’s forehead rested against his chest and their eyes drifted closed.

~x~

Ma fumed while she sat in the dining hall waiting for her King to finally get out of bed. This was late, even by Wukong’s standards, and he was very close to missing his morning lessons.

The dining hall was empty; the troop had already filtered through, and the other generals had duties to attend to. Wukong’s food was completely untouched and Liù’Ěr hadn’t been seen yet that morning either. That was much less frustrating. It wasn’t unheard of for him to skip breakfast – sometimes the early morning noise in the manor was overwhelming enough for him to find his own food and eat somewhere quiet.

With a huff, she got to her feet. She straightened her skirts before stepping around her cushion and marching out of the room. Ma stormed up the stairs and rapped on the King’s door.

Silence.

“Your Majesty, we’ve gone over this,” she scolded, pushing open the door. “You cannot sleep all day. You have too many…” What she saw shocked her into silence.

Clothes were scattered around the room, and not all of them were Wukong’s. Ma’s eyes landed on the nest, and she could see that he wasn’t alone. Wukong was wrapped in Liù’Ěr’s arms; their fur and hair stuck up in odd directions and the room faintly smelled of sex.

The noise that Ma made coming in had Liù’Ěr’s ears twitching and he stirred. His shifting around as he woke disturbed Wukong, and they both yawned, taking a moment to enjoy each other’s presence. They were both suddenly very awake when they realized that Ma was standing in the doorway.

“Looks like you two had an exciting night,” she teased, placing a hand on her hip. “I’ll leave you to make yourselves presentable. After you’ve both eaten, Liu and I will have a talk with you about some things you’ll need to be aware of now that you’re indulging in each other’s company.”

Liù’Ěr and Wukong still had much to learn.