20.i Ripe Peach Mountain

~ Sun Ritsu ~

Sun Ritsu hoped that Ham Song would stop talking soon. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could stay awake. What he was sure about was that Ham Song was not ready to forgive Bodhi.

“Pardon my choice of words, benevolent monkey, but I hate that drunk bastard.”

Ritsu bit his lip. Maybe forgive had been too generous of an action for Ham Song in the near future.

The pig was also disappointed that after everything, Ritsu had “rewarded” the skeleton spirit. When Ritsu tried reminding Ham Song that the butcher only did what he did because of pressure from those detainers, Ham Song’s response was, “Is that supposed to make me feel better? To the Lake with the butcher and that wretched monk!”

Before Ritsu could come to Bodhi’s defense, a familiar presence appeared out of the cloudy darkness.

“Tell me how you really feel, pig.”

Bodhi appeared wearing the same gray monastic robes, but this time, the top layer was peeled down and wrapped about their waist. Their undershirt was white, sleeveless and still a little damp from what Ritsu assumed was water from a nearby spring. The scent of rice wine still clung to Bodhi, but it was not nearly as pungent as before.

Ritsu got to his feet and told them, “The skeleton spirit was very grateful. He wanted me to make sure that you knew.”

Bodhi scratched the back of their neck. “Really, it was nothing. You probably could have pummeled those clones into soup if you wanted. That’s how pathetic they were.”

Ritsu blinked slowly before letting out a bark of laughter. “Me? Are you kidding? I couldn’t do anything like what you did. Not without any immortal peaches at least.”

Ritsu noted that Bodhi and Ham Song shared similar reactions. They both tilted their heads to the side. Bodhi narrowed their eyes.

A new voice broke the silence.

“Immortal peaches infuse clones with strength and endurance. Not skill.”

All three spirits jumped at Anari’s sudden arrival.

How does she always do that? Sun Ritsu wondered as he suppressed a shiver.

Bodhi also rolled their shoulders in what appeared to be an effort to free themself of goosebumps. Then they said, “Legs is right, Sun Ritsu. You’re already fairly learned in the art of wushu. You demonstrated that back at the noodle house. Otherwise your performance there would have never played out the way it had. Even with the Radiant State activated.”

With all three of his companions’ eyes on him, Ritsu was tempted to fidget. Instead, he fiddled with the ornamental staff dangling from his ear.

“I don’t know any kung fu. I’m pretty sure no one taught–”

Bodhi moved, but it registered more like a flash. Gasps from Anari and Ham Song came from both sides, but Ritsu didn’t realize why until he noticed a tight fist hovering just millimeters from the tip of his nose.

“See?” Bodhi relaxed their stance. “You didn’t even flinch just now. Face it, Sun Ritsu. You know kung-fuck!!!”

A blur of pink crashed into Bodhi’s side and sent them sprawling chaotically in the grass.

Ritsu gasped, “Ham Song!”

The pig moved defensively in front of Ritsu’s ankles, ignoring his protests.

“No, benevolent monkey. I’ve had enough of this worm.” Ham Song’s voice became shrill as he addressed Bodhi. “You touch my friend again and I’ll split your spine open next time, see?”

Anari had gone to help Bodhi to their feet, but they dodged the spider’s offer and roared back at the pig, “I wasn’t going to hurt him!”

Ritsu tried to intervene. “Ham Song, chill out.”

The pig snorted in defiance. “My friend, when are you going to realize that this monk is no good? They were there at the noodle house! They could have done back then what they did just now and helped us against the trolls! But what were they doing instead? Probably getting drunk and helping no one but themself.”

Bodhi finally scrambled to their feet, protectively cradling their side. “Ever the plucky one, aren’t you, pig? Yes, you are correct. And just so we’re clear on exactly the sort of worm I am, I was stealing booze from patrons that were too mystified by your misfortune.”

Ham Song grunted in satisfaction. “See, monkey? Nothing but a selfish, slimy worm, this one.”

Grinning madly, Bodhi added, “Sun Ritsu, it looks like you have everything you need to find your staff. I’ve got more than enough wine and Luck, so I’ll be going now.”

Ritsu nearly tripped over Ham Song as he chased after the monk. Bodhi was fast, but the monkey managed to catch up to them.

“Bodhi, wait. Wait!”

With what Ritsu could tell was the utmost reluctance, Bodhi stopped and wheeled around.

“Just let me go,” they groaned. “I’ve created enough chaos for your little quest as it is.”

There was a very painful sort of desperation that Bodhi could not hide even with that mad grin they wore. Ritsu knew that if he said the wrong thing, the monk would leave and never come back. He considered their reaction back when Anari had tried to help them off the ground.

Choosing his words carefully, the monkey said, “At least stay until the morning.”

Bodhi’s grinning mask slipped. “Why.”

Ritsu glanced past Bodhi’s shoulders at the mountain’s peak. “So we can watch the sun rise together.” Then he met their gaze and was pleased with the consideration, however small, taking place across their features.

“The giant will roll over and take the mountain with it, I imagine. The buildings will return. This whole valley will become concrete again.”

Bodhi didn’t appear impressed, but they didn’t look like they wanted to run away anymore.

“What, were you a poet in a past life?”

The compliment felt more like a bite, which ironically, eased Ritsu’s nerves.

The monkey shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Bodhi’s freckles danced as they broke into soft laughter. After a beat, they said, “I’m going back to my barrel. Can’t promise that I won’t be too hung over to watch the dawn happen or whatever,” they scratched the back of their neck, “but I’ll stay.”

Ritsu allowed himself a smile. He hoped it didn’t come off too warm, lest he scare Bodhi off again. He only let it linger for a second before turning around and making his way back to Ham Song.