Chapter Text
It was early in the morning and the Jade Emperor was seated on his throne preparing to greet the inevitable wave of requests and complaints from his subjects that had kicked off every day for as long as he could remember.
However, before the gates to the palace could be opened, a brilliant beam of blinding light burst through the layer of cloud that the celestial realm rested on and shot directly into the throne room. Temporarily dazed, the Emperor blinked rapidly to clear his vision before standing from his throne and ordering the nearest guards to travel down to Earth and report back to him with the source of the light. Obeying immediately the two minor gods scrambled out of sight, leaving the Emperor to reseat himself and await their return.
…
A short time later the guards entered through the throne room’s over sized doors and shuffled to stand before their Emperor. They took his nod of acknowledgment as a sign to present their findings and the second guard moved closer to the throne, holding his arms out and away from where they had previously been pressed close to his chest.
And there, nestled in the crook of the guards arm, was a baby. Judging by its bright ginger fur this baby was most likely a demon or yokai of some kind. This theory was proven correct when the Emperor noticed a tiny, almost cat-like tail swaying steadily below it.
“Why have you brought me this?” He questioned.
He was certain he had sent them to discover the source of the disturbing light beam, and this infant was far too young to be an effective witness.
“We have fulfilled your orders. This child is the source of the light you sent us to investigate.” Answered the first guard, lowering his head respectfully as he spoke.
“How can that be?”
As the Emperor spoke the infant stirred. Rolling over in the guards arms and revealing it’s face to the Emperor for the first time. It’s skin was pale and creamy and it’s closed eyes were rimmed by a pink, almost peach shaped marking. The ginger fur the Emperor had noted covered all but the child’s face and tiny hands. It’s human like fingers showed that it was in fact a monkey demon, likely from one of Earth’s many islands.
Unconsciously, the Emperor reached his arms forwards towards the child. And the guard that held it obediently stepped forward to hand it over while simultaneously opening his mouth to finish the explanation his companion had started.
“At your request, we followed the light beam before it could fade to an island in one of Earth’s great seas. On this island there is a large mountain, on the peek of which the light originated. We waited for the light to dissipate before landing to prevent blinding ourselves. It was then we found the infant you are now holding, curled in a crater, likely recently birthed considering it’s small size. It’s eyes were closed when we found it, however we noticed a slight glow from behind it’s lids. We can only assume the brilliant light came from this child’s eyes.”
The guard’s report faded into the background as the Emperor gazed at the figure curled in his arms. A male, he was sure, that seemed impossibly small and fragile compared to the grand room he found himself in. The Emperor couldn’t help feeling slightly uncomfortable at the thought of something so young being unattended on an unforgiving island.
“Was there any sign of this child’s parents?” He raised his gaze to address the guards, who bowed their heads again before the first responded.
“No sign at all, we checked thoroughly before removing it.”
Him. The Emperor corrected mentally, startling himself. Since when did the title of a mortal infant concern him?
“In that case, return to the island and find some monkeys that can be tricked into taking him as their…”
Before he could finish giving the order, The Emperor felt an odd urge to lower his gaze to the infant. When he did, his eyes widened involuntarily as they met a pair of brilliant golden irises with dilated black pupils that gazed up at him innocently. The child raised his uncoordinated hands to reach towards The Emperor’s face, mirroring what the older had done towards him mere minutes before.
Words failed him as he reached with his own hand, which seemed inconceivably large in comparison to the fragile fingers that immediately latched onto it. A stunning giggle that resembled the ringing of a thousand golden bells left the infant’s mouth as he grinned up at the older with an impossibly radiant grin that melted the rulers long frozen heart.
Tearing his gaze away, the Emperor razed his head to address the guards once again. He waited patiently for them to return his attention instead of gazing in awe at the child and his brilliant smile.
“Discard my previous orders.” They nodded in understanding.
“Find the head of the palace maids. Inform her to prepare the room near my own for the housing of an infant. Tell her any further questions can be given to me directly.”
Eyes widened in surprise the guards nodded and, bowing one more, hurried away to carry out their orders, leaving the Emperor alone with the boy.
Lowering his head The Emperor’s eyes once again met with the golden gaze of the child, whose eyes had remained fixed on his face the entire exchange. The little monkey chirped questioningly and tilted his head. To which the Emperor smiled and replied in a warm voice.
“You are safe here, Little Sun.”