I didn't realize that I hadn't finished this. :|


The Animals and Humans of Big Green were shocked as they saw Blayze sitting on his throne calmly talking to High Roller. Lin Chung stormed forward, ready to take the warlord's head off, but Bearstomp rushed him. They began fighting as their partners watched silently. Just when it got heated, High Roller growled in Bear-speak and Bearstomp stopped fighting and went over to stand beside the man's chair. Lin Chung was left standing there looking quite Panther-like. He stomped over to Blayze.

"Explain."

"I do not owe you any explanation, Báo-haizi. I do not owe any of you Big Green soldiers an explanation."

"Why not?"

"I am no longer your leader."

There was dead silence then High Roller laughed.

"You never mentioned that, Blayzie-wazie," he cooed.

"You never asked."

"Well, may I ask why you decided to step down?"

"Yes," Rahim said in his soft voice, stepping forward. "Why have you decided this? And without consulting any of the Animals."

"Why don't you ask your traitor of a son?" Blayze growled.

"Traitor of a…What are you talking about?"

Lin Chung looked confused. "Traitor? How am I a traitor?"

"Maybe you should ask your Animal friends. You know, the ones you agree with."

"What do I agree with?"

Blayze said nothing, glaring hotly at his Human.

"Monkey King, please tell us what you're talking about," Althea begged.

"Hardwin. I have a question for you."

Hardwin scurried forward on all fours. "Yes?"

"We have a Monkey leading us and a Panther as our doctor. What kind of an alliance is this?"

Lin Chung, Solange, and all the Animal kings and queens, besides Rahim and Althea, stiffened. Hardwin got a funny look on his face. When it was clear Blayze was waiting for an answer, he shrugged.

"I don't know. What kind?"

Blayze's face was painfully neutral as he responded. "A mistaken one."

Hardwin frowned, and Rahim and Althea looked upset.

"Who said this?"

"Specifically? Makani and Kowloon, but they all agreed. Even Lin Chung and Solange."

"I most certainly did not!" Lin Chung spat.

"Neither did I!" Solange shouted.

"You did, too. You said nothing while they teased us and spouted lies about us. Your silence was confirmation."

"What?" Lin Chung asked, looking distressed.

"You did not think it worthwhile to defend us. Neither of you did."

"But Blayze!" Solange pleaded.

"Tell me it's not true," Hardwin asked her softly, tears in his eyes.

"Tell us it's not true," Rahim repeated, looking at his son with pain in his eyes.

Both Humans looked away. Hardwin was clearly crushed. Solange reached out to pick him up, but the blue Monkey slapped her hands away violently. He stormed away to hide his tears. Rahim and Althea looked angry and disappointed. Lin Chung took a step toward them, but Rahim growled in warning. The boy then looked to his Monkey. Two steps in and he stopped as Blayze gave an almighty shriek in rage. Blayze followed Hardwin, leaving the Animals and Humans of Big Green standing in dead silence.

Lin Chung and Solange could feel the heavy gazes of the Animals and they both turned and went out of the palace. They wandered aimlessly through the kingdom, not speaking to each other, or anybody else. They reached an orchard and sat down beneath a cherry tree.

"I hate myself," Solange whispered.

"I hate myself more," Lin Chung replied.

She leaned against his shoulder and began to cry. His tears soon came, too. He felt as if his heart had been torn out of his chest. He had let down his Monkey and his parents. He was a disappointment. He didn't deserve either of them.

"Lin Chung?"

"Yes?"

"I feel awful."

He looked at her and noticed just how lovely she was, even through her pain. She had eyes of the most gorgeous blue and beautiful pale skin. Not white, like Mystique Sonia, but more Human. He leaned down closer.

"I do, too."

"You think they'll forgive us?"

"I don't know." He looked her over. "You're beautiful."

"You're rather dashing yourself."

They stared at each other for a few seconds then he pressed his lips against hers. She sighed and kissed him back. Somehow she ended up in his lap, and they forgot their pain as they held each other tightly. Neither one of them had ever kissed before, so they were a bit awkward, but they didn't care. It just felt so right. Their tongues touched briefly before they needed air. They both had flushed cheeks, and there was a shyness in their eyes. They caught their breaths then pressed close again.

That night, Lin Chung was lying on the couch in the parlor, trying his hardest to get comfortable enough to sleep. All the rooms were taken with the other Animals, plus High Roller and the Humans. Some were bunking together. The boy had the choice to join his parents or Blayze, but he didn't know if he would be welcome. He was pretty sure he wouldn't be. He twisted and turned, finally sitting up and swearing, completely unaware of the red eyes staring at him. Lin Chung jumped when Blayze spoke.

"Come on, Báo-haizi. Come to my room."

"Blayze!" Lin Chung gasped. "Please, I—"

"No words. Come."

Lin Chung stood and followed the Monkey to his room. He hesitantly stripped off once the door was closed, folding his clothes neatly and setting them on the bedside table closest to him. The bed was soft and much better than the couch, which was great for sitting on, but it made a poor sleeping surface. Blayze lay on the edge of the bed, facing away from him. He swallowed and reached out to stroke the red fur.

"Blayze, I'm sorry," he whispered, tears in his eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just felt that it was useless to disagree. Solange was the same. Forgive me. Please."

There was silence for about a minute then the Monkey spoke. "You hurt me. I feel as if you don't love me."

"Of course I love you," the Human whispered, gently pulling Blayze against his chest. "You're my Monkey. My precious, precious Monkey. I would do anything to keep you safe, to keep you happy." The tears slipped down his cheeks. "I love you. Know that that is the truth. Know I am yours. Now, will you forgive me?"

The Monkey slowly turned around. In the dim light of the moon, Lin Chung could see tears winding down Blayze's face as well. He was nuzzled, the wet streaks left on his chest chilling as the air hit them. Lin Chung still needed to hear the words, but before he could ask, the Monkey said it.

"I forgive you."

The Human sighed. "Thank you."

"Now, Báo-haizi, you must tell me how it was."

"How what was?"

"Kissing Solange. You seemed to really be enjoying yourself, if your noises were anything to go on. She liked it, too."

Lin Chung's cheeks grew hot and he mumbled an answer. Blayze laughed at the embarrassment.

"You are caught, yes?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to answer the question?"

"I…It was nice. I did indeed enjoy it. It made me want more of her."

"Ah, ah, ah!" the Monkey scolded. "You must make an honest woman out of her and marry her first."

"I know. And I need my parents' blessing."

"Indeed you do." Blayze yawned. "Now, I'm afraid that I am exhausted. Please, Lin Chung, let us sleep."

"Answer me one more thing, Monkey of mine."

"Yes?"

"Why is High Roller here?"

"I helped him with a personal problem and he is willing to discuss peace negotiations."

"Personal problem?"

"He and Bearstomp were having problems in their relationship. I helped to clear that up, so he is willing to discuss peace for the first time, like, ever."

"You must tread carefully."

"Indeed."

"Goodnight, Monkey of my heart."

"Goodnight, Human of my soul," Blayze said with a smile.