Ay! More family drama! :D
__________________________________________________________
*At Flower Fruit Mountain.*
"I'm sorry, what?" Miwa looked over at Wukong with a questionable look, while holding her spear. Since they had been training for most of the day.
Wukong scratched the back of his head, giving an awkward smile. "I'm going on a vacation, haven't gone on one, and I thought. Hey, why not do it now. I have a successor, and my daughter is back and can look after the mountain. I can even visit some old friends of mine."
Miwa's face was unreadable, but the lag of motion from her tails and how low to the ground they were. It was a clear sign that she wasn't happy about this.
"... When are you leaving?" Miwa asked, a small hint of cosmic energy slowly surrounding her.
Wukong took notice of the energy, being a much clearer sign that her motions were slowly going out of control. So he had to be careful with what he was saying. "Soon, probably in a few days. I still need to pack a few things."
"How long will you be gone?" Miwa asked, narrowing her eyes at him. The cosmic energy slowly going on to surround her spear, having it now covered in cosmic energy.
"Hard to say, I have a lot of places I wanna check out and friends to see." said Wukong, but placed a hand on her shoulder. "But don't worry, I'll give you a call with my Astral projection. Checking up on both you and the kid's training, and how you both are doing." He gave her a confident smile.
Miwa slapped his hand off her shoulder. "You just told me two days ago, that you wouldn't leave me out of your sight! That you would be there for me! Was that another lie, wanting to catch up on lost time!" She glared at him, tears slowly forming at the corner of her eyes.
Wukong saw that he had messed up, but he couldn't tell her the real reason. Not wanting her to worry about a danger that might not come, if he was able to stop it in time. "Freckles, that wasn't a lie. I really meant all of that."
"How can I believe that! First papa, and now you are just leaving out of the blue?!" Miwa shouted at him in anger, but also in pain. She threw her spear covered in cosmic energy, and destroyed a huge rock. Turning it into dust as the spear went back to the shadows.
"Wait, Macaque left?" Wukong found that a little strange, he had thought Macaque was still around. And had been checking in on Miwa a few times, even after that huge fight.
"Yes, he hasn't been around for weeks." Miwa glared at him and made a shadow portal. "You and him are more alike than you both think, leaving your own child behind. Without thinking about how I might feel."
"Sunny, wait!" said Wukong, reaching out a hand, but she had already left through the shadow portal. "I screwed up again."
*At Megapolis.*
Miwa stepped out of the shadows, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Stupid dad, why does he have to leave me too? Couldn't he have just taken me with him too, I just moved to his place. Since my place is still being rebuild."
"I really thought we would have more time to spend together, and I was just starting to forgive him. But then he drops this on me." Miwa wrapped her arms around her, tears running down her face. "I just want a family, that loves me and is there for me."
Miwa's eyes slowly changed to red before turning back to golden, wearing a painful look. "I shouldn't have been a wish that got granted, when all I ever get is pain and loneliness. But...." She took a glance at her hands, fading slowly but returned to normal. "I'm unable to leave."
Miwa snapped out of her depressing situation, when she heard someone knocking over an empty can. Turning around, she saw that it was a kid, a little girl.
The girl looked back at Miwa, narrowing her eyes slightly, before they then widened. "Miwa is that you? You look so different, I almost didn't recognize you."
Miwa looked at the little girl before a smile grew on her face. "Li Jing? What are you doing here?"
Li Jing smiled and ran over to Miwa, quickly hugging her. "I was getting some flowers for Ms. Hua, but as a surprise." said Li Jing with a bright smile. "But what are you doing in this dark alley?"
Miwa gave a soft smile, patting her head, and returned the hug. Before then pulling away. "Just taking a small shortcut, but how is Ms. Hua doing? Last I saw her was when I left the orphanage to live on my own."
The smile on Li Jing's face slowly disappeared and was replaced with a depressing look. "She isn't doing so well, after the attack from the Spider Queen. Her health has gotten worse and just yesterday she passed out. We all thought she....*sobs* we thought she was dead."
Concern appeared on Miwa's face hearing this, she wrapped her arms around Li Jing, pulling her into a hug to comfort her. "That must have been terrifying to see, but I think your flower idea sounds like something she would like."
Li Jing sniffled, looking up at Miwa, trying to wipe away her tears. "I think she would be happy to see you too, she talked about you a few times and how much of a troublemaker you used to be."
Miwa let out a soft giggle, hearing that Ms. Hua still talked about her. Even after she moved out four years ago. "Of course she would, that old crow." She shook her head, but still smiled. "Sure, I wouldn't mind giving her a brief visit."
"Great! She is gonna be so happy!" Li Jing jumped in excitement.
"Helps me focus on something else, then my problems with my parents." Miwa thought, and patting Li Jing's head. "Easy there little one, let's get those flowers and then we go and see her."
"By the way, when did you start looking like a monkey?" Li Jing questioned what had been slightly on her mind when she first saw her.
Miwa rubbed the back of her neck, letting out an awkward giggle. "Looks like I'm a late bloomer, and aren't an actual human."
"You think you might find your real parents, by knowing what you are?" Li Jing asked, getting a little curious.
A soft smile grew on Miwa's face. "Actually, I did find my parents."
"Really?!" shouted Li Jing in disbelief, her eyes widened in full surprise.
"Yeah, but let's focus on getting those flowers first. After that, I'll tell you." Miwa walked out of the alley, and started leading the way down to a flower store she knew should be close. If it hadn't been destroyed by the Spider Queen attack.
"Yay! I can't wait to hear all about it!" Li Jing cheered happily, and followed Miwa.
*Some time later, at the orphanage.*
Miwa took a look at the old building that was once home for most of her years living there. "Even now, it looks just as cozy and welcoming." Turning her attention, she noticed MMs. Hua's flower garden had taken some serious damage. But it was clear people had tried to fix it.
"Mimi, hurry up!" Li Jing was standing by the door, waving one hand while the other held a small bouquet of flowers.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." With a sigh, Miwa used her shapeshifting powers and made herself look more human. She joined the little girl at the door and slowly opened it.
"Wow, that was so cool! Do you have any other powers?!" Li Jing asked with big eyes.
Miwa let out a soft giggle at the surprised look on Li Jing's face. "Wouldn't you like to know." She lightly teased her.
The first thing Miwa saw when she opened the door, there were the many plants, mostly flowers, hanging from the walls. Next to some pictures of the kids that they had raised here. There even were some glass painted windows, and some furniture that was a mix of nature and modern style.
"Wow, there are even more plants than when I was last here." Miwa quickly dodged a few younger kids running by them, laughing out loud.
"There have been a few changes, but Ms. Hua has always loved her plants and flowers." Li Jing explained, walking to the office room where Ms. Hua would usually work at.
"Classic Ms. Hua." Miwa smiled when they got to the room and knocked on the door.
"Come in." spoke an elderly woman in a soft tone from inside the room.
Opening the door and walking inside, in the room sat an elderly woman, wearing glasses and having her gray hair set up in a bun. She looked up from what she was working on and was surprised to see Miwa of all people here. "By the Buddha, my sweet Miwa, this is a pleasant surprise."
"It's good to see you too, Ms. Hua." Miwa gave a nod, and gently placed a hand on Li Jing's shoulder. "And this one has something for you."
Li Jing had a bright smile on her face, walking over to the desk that Ms. Hua was sitting at, and holding up the bouquet of flowers. "For you, Ms. Hua!"
"Oh my that are some beautiful flowers, and you got them specially for me. That is so sweet of you, Li Jing." Ms. Hua took the flowers and put them in a vase. "Now my office looks even more beautiful."
Li Jing was happy she liked them and ran over, giving her a hug. "I thought you might need some new flowers in here."
Ms. Hua let out a soft laugh. "Well, you can never go wrong with flowers." She smiled, returning the hug. "Now, why don't you go and play with some of your friends, they have been asking around for you."
"Okay Ms. Hua, and it was nice seeing you again Miwa, bye bye." Li Jing left the room, closing the door behind her, and went to find her friend.
"So, my little troublemaker has returned, how have you been doing since you moved out? I hope you haven't caused any more trouble since you left." said Ms. Hua slightly leaning over her desk.
Miwa scratched the back of her head. "Well, if helping with stopping Spider Queen doesn't count as trouble. Or me finding my real parents, then I think I'm doing okay."
Ms. Hua started at her with a blank face, blinking her eyes slightly. "Well, I didn't expect that."
Miwa let out an awkward laugh before deciding to take a seat. "Same here, at least in the beginning." She stopped using her shapeshifting powers, so Ms. Hua could see her real form.
Ms. Hua's eyes widened when she watched Miwa change her appearance, looking more like a monkey. Almost like the Monkey King when looking closely.
"That's an interesting look, explains your troublesome nature." said Ms. Hua calmly, looking closely at her.
"A lot has happened since I moved out." said Miwa with a slight smile, though it slowly went away. "But not all of it was good stuff."
Ms. Hua's eyes soften looking at Miwa, remembering all the times her foster families would return her. Because of all the casualties that Miwa brought to those families, but she knew it wasn't all her own fault.
"Miwa, I'm happy you found your real parents." Ms. Hua reached forward, rested a hand on one of hers. "But ever since I found you that rainy night, and took you in like the rest. I've always seen you a bit as my own daughter, so if something is troubling you, sweetie. You can tell me, just like all the other times."
Miwa looked up at Ms. Hua, tears threatening to come out. "I finally reconnected with my family, but nothing is like it was and it feels like. Whenever I take one step forward, they take two steps back. Both of them promised to spend more time with me.... yet, something more important, gets in the way. One of them leaves to do something else, and now the other is leaving too. leaving me behind again."
Ms. Hua listened closely and watched how Miwa's ears and tails were lowering, a clear sign of how much this was upsetting her. "Did you ever ask them if you could come with them? I'm sure if you did, they–"
"No, whatever that is so important to leave me behind like this. They clearly don't want me getting mix into it." Miwa pulled up her legs, wrapping her tails around her feet while sitting in her chair. Tears finally running down her face. "They don't have to be perfect, knowing they already aren't... but all I really want, is my family staying around for me and actually care."
Ms. Hua got up from her chair and walked around the desk, and over to Miwa. Wrapping her arms around her, giving her a hug, knowing she needed it. "I'm sure they are doing their best, in their own way, to be with you. But they probably are still getting used to this themselves. So, of course, they are gonna make mistakes. Every parent does at times, mostly in the beginning, but give them time, and they will get better."
"..... Even if they are divorced and wanna kill each other?" Miwa glances up at Ms. Hua's surprised face.
"... What do you think they would do, should something happen to you?" Ms. Hua asked, gently patting her head.
Miwa looked down at the floor, thinking carefully about that question and back to the day she disappeared from them. "..... They would be devastated... and do anything to protect me. Even if they don't like each other."
"Even when parents look at each other differently, and can't be in the same room together. They will always put their differences aside, and be there for their child." Ms. Hua spoke in a soft voice, giving her a gentle smile. "I've seen all kinds of parents, Miwa throughout my years, running this place. Both good and bad, not all, but most parents. Will always put their children first. Before anything else."
"....." Miwa didn't say a word, but instead reached a hand into some shadows and soon after. Pulled out two old plushies, resembling her parents. She looked closely at them, deep in thought. "... I guess I might have been a little harsh on dad."
Ms. Hua took a glance at the two old monkey plushies, and couldn't help but notice one of them looked like the Monkey King. Then in a few seconds it clicked in her head, and a soft smile grew on her face. "Why don't you go back and have another talk with him. At least that way you wouldn't be on bad terms when he leaves."
Miwa wiped away her tears and looked up at Ms. Hua, a small smile on her face and nodded. "I guess I should." She got up from the chair, but not before wrapping her arms around the elderly woman. "Thank you for everything, Ms. Hua, and taking me in that night you found me."
Ms. Hua laughs softly, returning the hug. "Silly child, you might have been the biggest troublemaker here. But I'll still love you and be there to listen, if you ever need it."
Miwa pulled away from the hug, and took a last look around the room, before looking back at Ms. Hua. "I'll make sure to visit more often, and maybe share a few stories for the kids here."
"That would be very nice, and I'm sure the kids here would love hearing some stories, as long they aren't about you steal stuff. Or worse, your crazy driving." Ms. Hua humored.
"Wow, I thought you saw me stealing as the worst thing I've done. Yet, you think my driving is worse. I can't believe this." Miwa was shaking her head, but smiled while making a portal.
Ms. Hua rolled her eyes, but her smile slowly disappeared. "Before you leave, Miwa. Can I ask you to do something for me?"
Miwa was about to step into the portal, but stopped and looked back over at Ms. Hua, noticing the sorrowful look on her face. "Sure, anything."
Ms. Hua walked over to a drawer by her desk, pulling it out and pulled up a missing person poster. "Two months ago, one of the kids here went missing." She handed Miwa the missing person poster. "Her name is Ba He, I was thinking. Maybe you could try and find her, since you and the Monkie Kid are out there saving people. And stopping back people."
Miwa took a glance at the poster, and her eyes widened slightly, seeing the picture of Ba He. "She looks like the person, that creepy bone lady took over...does that mean, the bone lady possessed this girl?"
"I don't know who else to ask, I've tried the police. But they haven't been able to find her." Ms. Hua told her, concerned for the little girl.
Taking a deep breath, Miwa folded the poster and put it in a pocket. "I'll see what I can do, Ms. Hua, if I do find her. I'll make sure to bring her back."
"Thank you, Miwa. That's all I'm asking for, and knowing you. I'm sure you'll find her." said Ms. Hua with a heartfelt smile.
Miwa returned a smile and finally went through the portal, leaving the orphanage.
*At Flower Fruit Mountain.*
Miwa returned to the mountain, and noticed Wukong walking back and forth in front of his cabin. Looking somewhat worried, while mumbling something.
"I need to leave while there is still time. But if I leave, Miwa is gonna keep being mad at me. Making it harder for her to trust me again, but the only way to keep her safe. Is for me to leave and fix this, before it becomes a serious problem that could put her in danger." Wukong mumbled to himself, not noticing Miwa had returned.
"... Keep walking around like that, and you might make a hole." said Miwa, raising an eyebrow looking at him.
Wukong turned his head, stopping in his tracks as he snapped out of his thoughts. "Miwa?!" He quickly rushed over to her, and quickly had a look at her. Making sure she hadn't been in any danger while gone or gotten any injuries.
Miwa was slightly thrown back by this reaction, but pushed him away as he was becoming too much. "I'm fine! Dad!" She crossed her arms in annoyance.
Wukong composed himself and let out a relieved sigh. Glad that nothing bad had happened to her, after she had left in anger. "That's good to know, I wouldn't know what to do. Should anything happen to you again." He gently placed a hand on her head.
Miwa observed him closely, and could see that he had been deeply worried about her. Even though she left in anger. "... Maybe I was wrong, dad and papa do care. But they should still think about how I feel about all of this."
"Listen, Princess, I didn't mean to upset you like that." Wukong gently rubbed her head. "I do care about you, and having you back in my life. It is the best thing I could wish for."
Miwa let out a sigh, pouting a little. "Then why do you have to leave? It can't just be a simple vacation."
"... Something is coming, something bad, and it can't be stopped. Unless I leave to find the one thing that can stop it, before it actually happens." Wukong told her, though he wasn't telling her everything. He at least was being more open with her.
"Why didn't you say that from the start? Instead of playing it off, like it was nothing serious?" Miwa asked, looking up at him.
"I didn't want to worry you, but I guess by keeping this from you. Only upset you and have you think I didn't care about you." Wukong pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm sorry for not being honest with you, and making you feel like I didn't care about you."
Miwa wrapped her arms around him, accepting the hug. "I'm sorry, too, for losing my temper and not letting you explain. And just leaving without another thought."
Wukong let out a soft chuckle. "I guess we both could have handled it better." Pulling away from the hug, he patted her head. "How about we order some noodles, and watch some Monkey King the series together. While I'm still around?"
Miwa gave a small smile, looking at him. "Sure, sounds like a plan. But no spicy noodles."
"Agree, no spicy noodles." Wukong had taken Miwa's phone at some point and began ordering.
"When did you take my phone?!" Miwa tried taking back her phone, but Wukong was using his tail to keep her away from the phone. "You better not be using my money to order it!"
"Too late, order placed and sent. Thank you for paying, Sunshine!" Wukong threw the phone over to her, while giving a bright grin.
Miwa took a look at the order he made, and her eyes widened. "Why did you order so much, dad?! I can't pay for all of that!" She glared at him and soon enough, she started chasing him around. "Give me back the money you spent! You stupid baboon!"