#erw

Just get the water and let them stay for half hour more. She made her way to the kitchen, gathering the ice they kept on the cold boxes in the floor and gathering cups from the plethora of stone cutlery the cave had to offer.

“Granma Willow!” A tiny little voice called, making Willow jump. She almost dropped the stone cups. Willow turned, eyes landing on a tan patch of fur and teal eyes.

“Oh hello Pear, my little love.” Rin Rin and Lius daughter beamed at Willow as the celestial bent down and opened her arms, inviting her in. Pear leapt, cooing in joy as she burrowed into Willows hair.

Willow loved Pear. When Rin Rin had brought this little bundle into the world, Willow had been there, helping the other matrons. Willow had swaddled the tiny little girl and passed her to Rin Rin. The tiny baby had been perfect. Child birth was not pretty or a glorious thing but… Pear was a gem- a glorious gift to all. As babe had grown and Willow had eagerly volunteered to watch her, to babysit, to hold at every opportunity.

Willow may never have her own children but Pear and all the little babies from her friends were just as much hers as she was theirs. And the Littles knew it- they knew they had Willow wrapped around her finger. If the babes wanted a a bit of sweets or a little bit of snack they would come to Willow. If one had a tumble and couldn’t get to their parents they would come for comfort from Willow. If they wanted a lullaby, Willow will be happy to sing them to sleep. Willow was besotted with each tiny hand that tugged for her attention, for each little monkey that came to her.

“What are you doing here ?” Willow asked Pear. She tapped the little one on the nose eliciting giggles from her. “Shouldn’t you be with your mamma?”

Pear looked down and out to beyond the crash of the water. “I want papa…”

“You are a daddy’s girl.” The first time Pear had scampered off had been a memory. Rin Rin had come bursting into Willows room, pulling at her fur and crying.

“Rin Rin?” The tears and hiccups and fear in her friends face and voice crushed any understanding out of Rin Rins words as she blubbered. Willow had to set Rin down, rubbing circles on her back to calm her. When finally the tears had been tamed and the words came out less rushed and flushed with sound, she blurted “Pears gone!”

Now that had set the whole mountain aflame.

The troop was out, calling and racing through trees and groves, seeking the little baby. She couldn’t have gone far -

How wrong they all were. When Rin Rin, distraught and crying, made her way to Liu who was on an outpost far from Water Curtain Cave, they had been surprised to see a very tiny Pear clinging to her daddy’s silk kerchief.

“I …” Liu looked wretched. His face seemed torn between nervous worry and tearful oh my god my daughter is so cute. “She just came up… and I was on duty. I … I didn’t know what to do… I couldn’t leave…” Rin Rin had rushed forward and kissed Liu, kissed her baby and the three had crumpled over the still sleeping Pear in relief.

Pear had been told to always ask before leaving the safety of the inner mountain- from both her father, mother, Wukong and Willow. At least Pear was not the most rambunctious of the tiny Fruit named babies her friends had to corral. That title belonged to Lychee.

Seeing Pear looking out after her Dad had Willow think of something.

“How about this?” Willow said “You sweet little treat can come with me and meet my sisters.”

Those bright eyes seemed to glow in surprise. “Grandma has sisters ?”

“Yes. I have six.” Willow counted them off on her hand so little Pear could see. “There’s me, then Summer, Winter, Autumn, Cloud, Sea and Little.”

“LITTLE?” Pear excitedly gasped. She gripped the last finger Willow had counted on between her fingers. “Is she like me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Small?”

Pear may be the eldest of her friends children, but Willow had begun to notice as the rest of her friends grew Pear remained the same size. It bothered the sweet little girl who saw how Mulberry and Pomelo passing her in size now. Other babies of the troop must have begun to point this out to Pear- and Willow made a note to talk to Wukong about it.

“Oh Pear who has been bullying you about your size again?”

“Some of da other monkeys. They say I’m too small to be as old as I am.” Pear held Willows finger in her pawed hand, wiggling it back and forth and avoiding looking up. “…why am I so small Grandma ? Why can’t I be as big as Daddy? As big as you?”

Willow gently chucked the little under her chin, blowing raspberries into her ear. Willow chased the sad little look in Pears eyes with laughter and play. It may not fix the problem but seeing this little sweet babies bright mood being dampened just because she was tiny.

“Let me tell you.” Willow grabbed a stone pitcher, setting Pear on her shoulders. The little baby climbed happily up, setting to fiddling with the hairpins and baubles Willow had in her hair. “Size is not everything.”

“It’s not ?” Pear leaned into Willows face from above. She looked skeptical. “Mulberry and Pomelos Dad is big. People treat him nicely.”

“They treat Beng nicely because he is the healer of the mountain- not just because of his size.” Willow filled the water for the pitcher from a water pump set in the side corner of the kitchen. It was amazing that there was a way to have fresh water available easily in the kitchens.

“They do? But Mulberry and Pomelos dad is so big he could sit on an elephant and flatten them.”

“Don’t go telling Beng that!” Willow poked the still peaking primate on the nose

“You are twice the monkey any of those bullies are. You want to know why?”

“Why?”

Water retrieved and filled Willow set the pitcher on the counter. She reached up and Pear clambered down into Willows arms. One of Willows combs was in one little hand, playing with the comb teeth.

“Because you are my precious Pear.” Willow took the comb and tucked it behind Pears ear, the bright little bud of the flower shining against her tan fur. “You are twice as quick and twice as lucky. You teach those other Littles that you can just as easily best them- with wit and with strength. Because you are strong little Pear. Don’t let them tell you otherwise.”

Pear touched the comb, her little eyes watering as she wrapped her arms around Willows neck. “THANKS GRANDMA!”

Willow felt something in her click then. As she gave advice to her friends little child, she felt the dawning of her realization slide over her like the first rays of morning. Maybe Willow had to stick up for herself as well. Her sisters may make jabs and think her decision wrong to leave the Pole Star Palace, but she wouldn’t let them continue trying to undermine her. I should tell them straight.

Something crashed and tumbled just outside the corridor as Apple and Lychee came tearing into the Kitchen, Mulberry in tow. The three little monkeys looked all scuffed and dirty as if they had just come from a closet full of dust.

“Grandma has sisters!?!” Apple asked.

“Can we come too Grandma!” Lychee grabbed the edge of her sleeve, hopping up and down. “Please please please!”

“We’re you all spying?” Willow asked, her brow raised. The three littles looked away guiltily. A sleepy looking Pomelo came tumbling after them, flopping down weakly. The poor dear… Willow scooped the tired Pomelo up. The poor baby could and would fall asleep if he got comfortable enough. Wherever this little fruit troop had been hiding out in must have been comfy enough to trigger another napping episode.

“We weren’t spying.” Lychee grumbled. “Just … listening.”

“Lychee that’s spying sweetheart.” Willow told him.

“Oh…”

“Don’t spy. You don’t want to become mischievous.” Or at least more mischievous, Willow thought. She could see Ba in the little boy before her. Another little Ba on the mountain may be too much for the monkeys of Huaguoshan to live through again.

“Yes Grandma.”

“I want uppies !” Apple begged, hands reaching up.

“Can we come with you though?” Lychee asked, also reaching up.

“Of course you can all come.” At this invitation, everyone clambered up Willow as if she were the tree her namesake came from. Tiny hands and feet found purchase as the littles settled into their places. It was common practice to climb onto Willow- all the babies upon Huaguoshan made a habit of finding perches upon their grandmother tree. But the little fruit troop were the ones that claimed designated spots.

Lychee liked to snuggle onto her shoulder and braid little ropes into her hair, calling out to the other monkeys and sometimes turning Willows head to look at a dragonfly, a neat cloud, a fruit. Apple liked to settle on her other shoulder or cling to her arm, snuggling in. Pomelo had to be held against her hip as the poor boy would fall into a deep sleep as soon as he was comfortable. Mulberry and Pear usually snuggled onto her other side and arm- one or the other clinging or scampering about on ground nearby or climbing up and over the other.

“Pear can you help me by grabbing some cups ? I’ll need to carry the water pitcher.” Willow said. “I’m sorry Mulberry - it’s only until we are back on the blanket.” Mulberry looked up into Willows eyes and nodded, understanding and stepping down. He grabbed Willows gown in one hand, instead to walks beside her.

“Yes grandma !” Pear leapt down, gathering the stone cups back up and into her arms. As they all walked back onto the bright spring day, Willow felt her spirit soothed. It was like a balm pressed against a burn, soothing the discomfort of her worries away.

Willow felt Lychee climb off of her head, hopping to the ground.

“Lychee what are you—“

The cheeky little babe took one look at the sleeping Pomelo in Willows arm and gave his tail a good hard yank. The little orange furred babe sat up straight screeching.

“Ha! Got your Tail Pomelo!” And the prankster was off, little brown tail flagging behind him. Like father like son.

Pomelo rushed off after Lychee, racing into the shade by her sisters. The two little monkeys didn’t seem to notice how fast they were going, how quickly they were approaching the blanket. Wukong was still engrossed in his Storytelling and was unable to prevent what happened next.

As the two monkeys reached the blanket, Pomelos little hand grabbed Lychees tail and gave it a yank.

“No you didn’t I got yours!”

The two tumbled together in simple monkey fashion, rolling and mock bitting and kicking. It would have been adorable- Willow thought it was- until they hit the tea tray.

Sweets and fruits went flying, the tarts falling like rain as the plate was sent up and spun in the air. Autumn gave a chortle as the food went flying. Could, Sea and Little gave mock cries of woe and then we’re laughing as well as a bit of coconut cake slapped Sea square in the face and sent cream flying. Willow laughed- but her laughter turned to horror as Winter and Summer turned like lionesses to snarl at the two babies.

“WHATS THE MEANING OF THIS!” Winter shot her most withering glare down at the two babies who had frozen upon the sisters roar. “These little apes just knocked over all the food! Little mongrels.”

“Honestly these little beasties would be better as pets dancing on a rope.” Summer commented. “Less chaotic more entertaining.”

The whole clearing fell silent. All except the laughter of the celestial sisters Winter and Summer.

Ma was nearby, feeling her teeth slip and flash in a terrible grin- those were her babies they were talking about putting on a rope.

Liu had turned from his guard pose, hackles raised along his sides and fist shaking. The marshal barely held back from marching forward and calling challenge to their words.

Ba was physically being held back by Beng nearby, the new Father almost red in the face with fury. His boy was over there. Beng felt his own anger itch his fur- but he kept his head for Chestnut was away with Rin Rin gathering fruits. If the whole entourage had been there, The celestial sisters would have been in worse straights.

Wukong felt his tail thrashing as the laughter dragged along his ears, cut over his fur. It dragged like sand and made him feel the instinctual response of teeth slowly curving in a threatening smile. As he turned, to request or to challenge or to kick the two sisters completely off the mountain he felt Willow past him- and froze.

He had never seen her look like that.

In the midst of the cruel laughter between the sisters Willow felt her body grow cold. She felt the drum of the ocean inside her roar. The little babies faces were of shock and fear.

Her family. Her heavenly family. Had been the first ones to give these children a taste of the contempt Heaven would always hold. Had always held. Her blood family had hurt her found family. It was not too hard to swallow if the slights were towards her. It was not so hard if the barbs were more about her choices in her life and her choice in partner.

Little Pomelo and Lychee were close to tears. The small babies didn’t know why these pretty little women- these spoiled women- were laughing. Willow had told them they were her sisters. Her sisters. I wish I did not have sisters. It was such a violent and shameful thought. Willow felt shame. Shame and rage.

Willow set Apple down then gently gave Pear a nudge. Pear had dropped the cups some time ago, her little eyes wide with fear. She turned at Willows nudge.

“Go to your father for me my Little Pear. He needs you.” Willow saw the little girl nod and scamper off. Willow turned to the two boys on the ground, with Apple patting their backs soothingly.

“I have a handful of sweet candies to the first one who can grab me some sweet fruits and bring them here. We will make a tea party with better foods.” Willow proposed. Stay calm. Just stay calm.

“Sweet candies ?” Lychee sniffed. His little face was tear stained. Willow knelt down and whipped the tears away. I did this.

“Yes. A whole handful.” She took in Apple, Pomelo and Mulberry. “But you have to bring me things to replace what was spilt. Ok?”

“Yes Grandma” the trio said and scampered away, glad to be gone but possibly sensing that something was about to happen.

“Take help- if you can’t carry it make trips ok?” Willow called after them.

“Good little treasures.” She muttered to herself. Then she turned. And felt her sights narrow on her elder sisters. Autumn was now laughing with Summer and Winter, always finding mirth in anything.

Willow moved passed her three younger sisters to the elders. The laughter was still loud in the air, still mocking. Before Willow could think, before she could even speak more or try to say something Summer had to open her mouth, had to cut the last of Willows control free.

“Doesn’t it make you miss Heaven?” Summer chortled, wiping a tear from her eye.

Willow was proud of her restraint. She was her fathers daughter. He had stood calmly in the wake of dragons roaring, and typhoons raging. It was something Willow had always looked up to- and had honed like a fine drawn tool. She was proud of her ability to be composed. That Willow however had been cut away- and now stood a Willow her sisters had rarely seen. A Willow who had no Heavenly patience left in her body for two women who made children cry.

So of course Summer and Winter screamed in suprise and shock when the water jug was upturned over both of them.

“WILLOW!”Summer screamed.

“H-HEY!” Winter choked as the water went into her nose. Autumn blinked as her laughter died on her lips, finally looking shocked. The three sisters looked at the eldest of them- and flinched.

“Listen here,” Willows voice was gentle, a coiled snake with fangs raised. “The only reason I don’t throw you off the mountain bodily myself is because it would make mother cry. You all have been nothing but insufferable to my Earthly family- To my earthly home! You have insulted my husband, have insulted his people- YOU eluded to SLAVERY with children. You joke and mock and taunt and talk how Heaven is the best place to be when you know nothing of the world because you have never wanted to learn about it.”

Willow felt her words rushing through her, taking her along in the eddy of there tsunami.

“You think Heaven is such a wonderous place?” Fools “Let me tell you- it’s stagnation- it’s perfection given no challenge- no variation. You live in boring squalor. I invited you here so you could see the mountain I love the place I have lived and fought in word games to keep safe.”

Tears threatened Willow and she let them flow free. They were the rage slipping out, the ocean storm in her body.

“And you insult it. Insult me. Look around you-“ Willow spun, encompassing all the Mountain and the shocked monkeys “The trees are blooming the sky is clear.”

Willow pointed the pitcher at Winter. “The air is full of the smells of spring and you have the gall to say it’s pungent. Do you breath anything but those incense sticks sister because I worry it may have muddled your brain.”

Winter opened her mouth and closed it, a fish gasping in the air.

“The sunset in heaven is the same droll colours every day while here it can be a canvas of new paint every evening!” Summer was now pointed at, her face gone white beneath her makeup. “The days are never the same they bring with it the chance to experince and witness new beautiful things and you, in all your great celestial bearing, look upon your sisters home and spit in her face.”

“Willow— I’m-“ Winter began, drawing her sisters eye back to her. None of the sisters had seen this Willow. Willow had never raised her voice - she had started quiet and now she was a firestorm, catching the three in her eyes.

“Oh this is gonna be good.” Sea muttered to Cloud, picking up a discarded tart and popping it into her mouth.

“Sorry? You are sorry? To me? No. You have a whole mountain to apologize to for your actions.” Willow gestured outwardly to Huaguoshan. “Those children you said should be on a rope? Those are my dearest friends children. I would sooner never call you sister then have one who would tell children they belong on rope.”

Summer flinched back, eyes wide.

“Willow please—“ Autumn tried to cut in but was over ridden. The tsunami and firestorm of her anger and shame was surging forward, taking them all in.

“ You who turned your nose up at the thought of taking a gift so lovingly brought from the most difficult patch of mountain. You who called my home savage. You have never seen savage beauty until you’ve witnessed a forest fire, the complete destruction and rebirth of a continent in the molten power of a volcano.”

“ You want savage dear sisters I can show it to you. And then you will see how beautiful and peaceful my wonderful Flower Fruit Mountain is.” Willow looked each of her sisters in the eye, pinning them like bugs on a diorama.

“Unless you apologize to everyone for what you have done I want nothing further to do with you. I’ll have tea with my real family and not the demons I thought were my sisters.” Willow turned, dismissing them and staring at her younger sisters. Sea and Cloud were nibbling some cookies, while Little was gathering up the discarded bits.

“Sea, Little, Cloud.”

They all stared.

“Come with me- it seems in my absence our sisters have been terrible role models and I have to show you what to do when someone creates disharmony among people.” Willow turned to Wukong. What would she see in his eyes? Would it be the same hurt as when she had first defended her Heavenly family?

I feel such great shame.

Willow didn’t look up. She simply kowtowed as low as possible at his feet.

“My apologies husband. Forgive me for my sisters words. They are ignorant in the kindness and grace you have shown them.”

“Willow…”

Another body bowed beside her. Willow peaked. Sea and Cloud were bowing deeply- Little also bowing on the opposite side.

“We apologize Brother-in-Law” Little Weaver Girl said. “I’m sorry if my words caused offense”

“I apologize too.” Weaves the Clouds spoke up from her bow. “Your waterfall throws up a beautiful rainbow.”

“Please forgive us.” Wind Over Sea atoned, their voice sheepish. “My wager sounds rude now I think on it.”

The rest of the Huaguoshan was all a fire in whispering. The monkey in the trees were babbling, the youngsters were watching, and the solideres all had hands hovering over weapons. Their memories flashed back to the war, to the time when Heaven had rained down terror upon their home. How the Celestials then had wanted to turn the mountain into nothing but an ash pile, a stain on any cartographers map. The Celestials thought them lesser for their Kings actions, had passed that judgment without seeing who they were, what families they had. When Wukong had been locked away in the brazier to be boiled and turned to liquid, to sweat out the immortality he had taken, Heavens wrath loomed. The heavenly court of the Pole Star Palace waited, a snow leopard from on high waiting to leap down and break Huaguoshan neck between their starry teeth.

Only … those teeth never fell. Instead Willow had been there. Willow had come to the mountain and in all the long years their king was away she had battled on their behalf. The mountain was not without a defender, though she did not battle with blade but words. Willow had written document after document, scroll after scroll, letter after letter. She had claimed it as her right her home.

Her father had asked if she wished for absolution- for the marriage to be voided. Willow had turned to him and had not said any words. Instead she had delivered her magnum opus, setting the document upon her fathers desk. It was a a three thousand page letter that sealed, banned, protected and wrapped Huaguoshan in such armor that not even the teeth and blades of heaven could violate its right as Willows home, as her holy site. As her sanctuary.

Willow had waited for her father to read all of the text, Liu and Xinshu her guards that long fateful day. It was a story that spread like fire how Willow had defanged and declawed Heaven with nothing more then parchment and ink.

Here she was again, defending them all. It was being whispered among the monkeys, flying from lip to ear as she and her sisters bowed before their king again.

Willow had, once again, become Huaguoshan defender. Against her own family. Her own sisters.

Liu held Pear in his arms. He marveled at how Willow had both embarrassed and reprimanded her sisters. Autumn, Winter, and Summer had been embarrassed fully and put in their place. The Marshal felt a swell of pride expand his chest.

Ba had stopped his furious scrambling to get past Beng. He was still agitated, twitching his tail painfully as he watched. But the fire was banked, the threat of violence abated. For now. Beng watched with hooded eyes. He waited, seeing four sisters atoning while three were sitting like abandoned chicks.

The mountain watched.

It was Autumn Leaves Falling who made the first move. The daughter of Heaven looked about her. She saw the whole mountain watching her and felt shame prickle her skin. She may not like Earth, but she had laughed at her sisters jokes. She had belittled these monkeys actions. Especially the one in the armor. The one beneath the tree holding a tiny babe in his arms.

“I apologize to you, sir.” Autumn knew her mocking of this monkey hard hurt her sister. She felt the slap of her words still in her mind. Autumn kowtowed to the Marshal“You treated me with courtesy and kindness and I laughed at you. I beg forgiveness.”

Autumn had never seen Willow that angry. Her elder sister had always been kind and compassionate. When she got mad she spoke softly. Never yelled like she had.

Winter and Summer, who after the shock of the of both the drenching and their elder sisters upbraiding, were next. Willow who was calm pillar in their lives, who had always smiled and offered council and a shoulder for the sisters to cry on, was upset by them. Had been made to cry by their words.

Wukong didn’t say anything. He wanted to have Willow stand up, wanted to stop her from bowing and groveling for forgiveness. There was no forgiveness to beg for Willow. At least, not from her. However the Monkey King understood what was being done here. He saw the stage his wife was setting up.

Willow was giving her sisters a chance. To prove themselves. Wukong just hoped that the remaining two wanted to apologize.

Winter and Summer both looked to one another, looked to Willow.

And broke down crying. They came blubbering over to their sisters, pulling Willow, Sea, Cloud and Little to their feet. For though they may be the second and third oldest- seeing their sisters upset and asking for forgiveness for them- it was unbearable.

“Willow don’t apologize for us.” Winter sobbed.

“Sister please stand.” Summer cried. They tugged Willow up and took their sisters place, bowing at Wukongs feet.

“This is our fault.”

“We know Willow loves this mountain- loves all of you.” Summer looked up at Willow, her face a messy streak of makeup and tears. The raw emotion there was bright and hot.

“We don’t understand why—“ Winter began but an elbow from Summer set the snappier sister to correcting herself.

“We don’t understand but we want to learn- because we want to remain sisters to our Willow.” Winter said.

“Forgive us … brother in law.” Summer and Winter asked in unison. “We just wanted to enjoy some tea and treats with our sister.”

“We have more treats!” Came the little voice from further down. Willow looked down to see that Lychee, Pomelo and Mulberry had returned their arms full of fruits. Pears and apples, a little basket of blueberry’s, some gooseberries and pomegranates, so many fruits that they little babies looked to just be walking hills of food.

The troop of monkeys watched, eyes taking it in.

Winter and Summer gapped at this brave little brown ball of fluff as he grabbed a peach and pressed it into Winters hand.

“Wanna try some?” Lychee asked. He took a bite of the peach and offered it forward, showing that it was safe to eat. “They may not be as good as Grandma Willows baking but…”

“But Huaguoshan is Full of sweets!” Apple called. She had gathered water all on her own, a new pitcher being carried by her little arms.

“We are sorry we knocked over the treats.” Pomelo spoke, his voice still sleepy. Lychee nodded.

Summer reached out and gently took Pomelos little hands. “No little ones. We are sorry. Sorry for all we said.”

“We were cruel.” Winter mumbled.

“Well yes that wasn’t very nice to say.” Apple retorted. She set the watet pitcher down beside Wukong. “But I’ve said mean things to my friends too.”

“Remember when we called Pear a short baby face?” Pomelo recounted.

“I HEARD THAT!” Pear called from her fathers arms. Pear jumped forward, climbing up Autumn with nimble little hands. The sister giggled as the little monkey fingers tickled her side. “I can’t be little if I’m on one of Willows Sisters!”

“… Do you want to try again?” Willow felt as if her heart was waiting to beat. The world was on the tip of a blade balancing between her sisters and these brave little babies.

Winter looked at the peach in her hands. At the perfect bite shape out of the fruit. And her snobbish sister took a bite.