Hello, everyone! I'm finally back with chapter ten of this emotional story!

ENJOY!

DK was in the middle of the Kongo Jungle. He searched just about every tree for Diddy. The storm had only just left the island to allow some brightness to come down onto the trees, and from that moment on DK had left his house to find his nephew. He was worried sick about him. He feared that the storm may have gotten him helplessly lost in the middle of the jungle while on his way home from school, or maybe those bullies got hold of him and threw him in the middle of a stormy jungle … to a place he was unfamiliar with.

Anyhow, DK was worried about Diddy so much that he felt he could do just about anything to find him, even if it meant torturing those bullies to near-death.

The ape looked behind another tree, but there was no sign of Diddy anywhere in the area he was in.

"I wish I knew where he was. I feel like there's something missing in my life whenever he's missing," said DK sadly to himself, "I only just went through that pain a few weeks ago when he couldn't guard our banana hoard, and now I have to deal with it again. He's probably waiting for me to find him, too. I can't even think about how scared he might be while in the middle of a jungle without me being there to guide him."

DK almost began to cry as he thought about Diddy. He knew that his nephew couldn't last up to seven hours without missing him. DK was more than just family to Diddy. He was everything to him.

The ape sat down to rest his legs, then he looked up and found a gorgeous sight before his very eyes …

On one of the trees that lay before him was a beautiful tree house, highlighted by colorful flowers in the windows and a fancy octagon window on the second floor.

DK was astounded by the sight of this tree house. He could only agree that it was more worthy of staring at than his own house. From top to bottom, it was flat-out beautiful!

With curiosity getting the best of him, DK stood up and slowly walked up to the ladder, then he carefully climbed up and reached the porch.

As the ape slowly walked across the porch, he took some time looking through the flower-filled windows to see if this was the home of anyone he was familiar with. Surely, somebody he knew must be so lucky to have a house like this.

Finally, DK let his courage sink in, and he approached the door and knocked on it.

"One second! I'll be right there!" came a voice behind the door.

This voice sounded somewhat familiar to DK. He could recall hearing that voice on the beach yesterday. He pondered his thoughts as he tried to remember who's voice it was.

That question was answered by a twist of the doorknob and the opening of the door.

DK looked into the doorway and noticed Chunky standing there.

"Ah, DK," greeted Chunky with a gentle smile, "What brings you here on this rather gloomy afternoon we've been having here?"

DK grinned back at Chunky before replying …

"Hi, Chunky. This may sound crazy, but I was wondering if you've seen my nephew Diddy around. He got lost in the storm and I haven't seen him since the moment he left for school this morning."

"Oh, yes!" said Chunky as thoughts flowed around his head, "That poor, cute little guy. Dixie found him in the middle of the jungle and brought him here for some shelter from the storm."

DK felt his heart pounding with relief that someone knew where Diddy was. He could feel all that weight being thrown off his shoulders as he heard those warm words.

"Come on in. I've just made a pitcher full of banana juice," offered Chunky.

DK grinned as he found Chunky's offer unable to be refused.

The ape walked through the doorway, and Chunky closed the door behind him.

"Feel free to make yourself comfortable for a little while," said Chunky as he offered DK some space on a soft reclining chair.

DK sat down on the recliner and leaned back in relaxation. His legs instantly felt so much better than they did only a second earlier from all that sprinting through the jungle.

Chunky then walked into the kitchen, allowing DK to have a minute to himself as he anticipated that any time soon he would get to see his nephew again. As much as he felt that Diddy missed his uncle so much, DK missed his nephew and desperately wanted to see him again.

A moment later, Chunky returned with a glass of banana juice, and he handed the glass cup to DK. The gorilla took the glass and took a sip of the delicious banana juice. His tongue was soothed almost instantly with that pleasant taste of bananas that he loved so much!

Chunky sat on another soft chair and settled into relaxation.

"So, … where is Diddy, anyway?" asked DK.

"Diddy is upstairs with Dixie, although I might recommend waiting for a little bit. I took a peek up there a few minutes ago, and it looked as if they're having a … romantic … time together," answered Chunky.

DK chuckled as he heard the word "romantic". He felt happy that Diddy had seemingly found himself a love interest in Dixie. He remembered Diddy mentioning that he had dreams about Dixie, and now he knew what those dreams were about …

Love and romance.

Meanwhile, … speaking of love and romance …

Diddy and Dixie were still cuddling and smooching with each other lovingly on Dixie's bed. They felt that nothing could end their beautiful trance of romance. As much as Diddy missed DK, he was beginning to love this girl so much that he began to think of him as his girlfriend, even though they had only known each other for one day. Diddy felt that one day couldn't be enough time to find a girl for his life.

Dixie couldn't stop looking into Diddy's adorableness. He had adorableness all over him; his eyes, his face, his clothes and simply the way he looked were all ingredients for a lovable monkey as far as she was concerned. She wished they could be together forever, and she imagined that Diddy was feeling the same way.

"Oh, Dixie," whispered Diddy, "You're such a beautiful girl. I feel like I could cuddle you forever."

"Aw, Diddy," replied Dixie, "I feel like I could kiss you forever."

With that, Dixie planted even more kisses on Diddy's face, which had been blushing since they started cuddling each other.

Diddy smiled at Dixie and returned the kisses on her face, earning an adorable smile from Dixie.

It was such a perfect moment: two young little monkeys making love with each other felt like one of the cutest moments ever on Kongo Bongo!

Then …

A knock came on Dixie's bedroom door. In an instant, both monkeys felt rather dismayed about their embrace being ruined.

"Dixie? Diddy?" came Chunky's voice behind the door.

"Yes, Chunky?" Diddy and Dixie replied together.

"Would you like to come down for a bit? I've made some banana juice," offered Chunky, "Oh, and Diddy, we've got someone down here waiting to see you!"

Diddy let out a slight grin as he heard those words. He sensed it could be his uncle DK, having come all the way across the jungle to find this marvelous house.

Dixie returned the grin, and the two young monkeys sat up and scooted off Dixie's bed before heading out the bedroom door, holding hands with each other. They still felt like they didn't want to let go of each other after such a romantic time on a beautiful bed.

The duo walked down the steps to the living room, … and another pleasant surprise awaited them …

Diddy looked around the living room until he found the one person he had loved as family all his life …

"DK!?" shouted Diddy as he spotted his uncle sitting on a relaxing chair.

"Hi, little Diddy-buddy!" replied DK with a warm smile.

Diddy let a few happy tears from his eyes as Dixie hugged him one more time. Then, she gave him a gentle push as he ran towards his uncle. The little simian jumped right into DK's lap and wrapped his arms around his neck in a cuddly family embrace. He wanted nothing more than a moment like this after getting lost in the middle of a thunderstorm.

DK wrapped his arms tightly around Diddy's back to keep him warm, and he let some tears out of his own eyes. He was so overjoyed to see Diddy again. He was worrying that he would be lost forever in the jungle, yet here he was, safe and sound in his uncle's comfort again.

"I missed you so much, DK!" cried Diddy as he started sobbing onto his uncle's cheek.

"Aww, Diddy, I missed you so much, too," replied DK gently as he rubbed the back of Diddy's head.

Dixie and Chunky smiled at the adorable sight of DK and Diddy cuddling together like a father and his baby. They could clearly see that these two had a very strong family relationship. Dixie even let a few tears leak from her eyes as she found this moment to be so heartwarming.

"I'll be right back. I'm gonna get the two of you some banana juice," said Chunky, and he left for the kitchen again.

"How did you get lost in the middle of the jungle, little buddy?" DK asked Diddy.

"Fomali chased me into the jungle after I was let out by Wrinkly at the end of the afternoon class," Diddy began with tears still pouring from his eyes, "Then, the storm came, and I found myself running aimlessly around the jungle. I didn't know where I was, but I only wanted to get away from Fomali. Finally, he cornered me and tried to stab me with his knife again!"

"Aww, dear," said DK sadly, "He tried to kill you again?"

"Yes!" cried Diddy, "Right in the middle of a dark storm!"

"Aw, no. My poor little nephew," replied DK as he tightened his hug on Diddy, "I can't even imagine how frightening that must have been."

"It was only then that Dixie swung down and saved me," said Diddy.

The two looked at Dixie and faintly grinned at her. The girl returned the grin warmly.

"I was just on my way home, and I noticed Diddy being chased by that orangutan. Then, I saw the knife in his hand. I knew it meant big trouble," explained Dixie, "So, I swung down on a vine and kicked him away from Diddy, and I gave him what he deserved."

"She knocked him out big-time," finished Diddy.

"Wow. What a hero you are for my little buddy," commented DK, "Thanks so much, Dixie, … for keeping my little monkey safe."

"You're welcome, DK," answered Dixie.

Chunky then returned with two cups of banana juice for Diddy and Dixie. The younger monkeys each took one cup and sipped their juice. They each let out a sigh of enjoyment towards that delicious juice. It was even enough to help Diddy stop crying.

"You really make such wonderful banana juice," commented Diddy.

"Thanks, Diddy," said Chunky, "Our family's been known on other islands to make such wonderful banana juice."

"It's no surprise. Your juice is so delicious!" chuckled Diddy.

"It sure is!" agreed DK.

"You should get Lanky to promote your juice so that everyone on Kongo Bongo can enjoy it!" suggested Diddy, "He runs his own restaurant not far from where Funky's place is."

"Maybe we should!" agreed Dixie.

"So, have you been having a good time here, Diddy?" asked DK.

"It's been great!" answered Diddy.

Dixie nodded her head in agreement.

"I'm happy to hear that," replied DK, "However, I think it's time we head home. It is getting late after all."

"I know, DK, … plus I feel homesick," agreed Diddy.

"I'll go get your backpack," said Dixie, and she rushed back upstairs to her bedroom.

DK and Diddy exchanged more gentle smiles with each other as they resumed their family cuddle. DK even went as far as to plant a family kiss on Diddy's cheek, making him giggle in family love and ticklishness.

"Eekeeheeheeheeheehee!" giggled Diddy happily.

"I love you so much, little Diddy-buddy," whispered DK in Diddy's ear.

"I love you so much, too, big Donkey-buddy," replied Diddy in a whisper.

A moment later, Diddy felt a surprise kiss planted on his other cheek. He turned to his right and noticed Dixie kissing him lovingly with Diddy's backpack in her hands.

"I think you're the cutest and sweetest monkey I've ever known in my life!" said Dixie happily as Diddy took his backpack.

Diddy blushed deep red as he felt even more love sinking into his heart. It was such a perfect moment for him. If family love and romantic love could mix in and create this heartwarming moment, then Diddy could only say that this was the greatest moment of his life! He had found himself a girl, and his deeply-caring uncle was there to see it!

The simian put his backpack on and pulled Dixie up onto DK's lap for a romantic hug. DK then joined in by hugging both of the little monkeys.

Diddy and Dixie then exchanged one more kiss on each others' lips before Dixie slid off DK's lap, and the gorilla lifted his nephew onto his shoulders.

"See you around, Diddy!" said Dixie.

"See ya soon, Dixie!" replied Diddy.

The two young monkeys smiled at each other again as DK turned to the door.

"Thanks again for taking care of my nephew," said DK.

"No problem," replied Chunky.

"It was great having him here!" added Dixie.

"Thanks again!" said Diddy.

"You're welcome!" answered Chunky, "Bye!"

"Bye!" said Diddy as DK finally opened the door.

The gorilla walked out with Diddy riding piggyback on his shoulders, then he jumped off the porch and started walking on all fours through the jungle, while Diddy swung his legs off DK's shoulders and rested them on his uncle's back while clinging to his neck.

Now that the two were finally alone together, they could finally engage in family conversation again.

"Diddy, … you'd have no idea how worried I was about you," said DK, "My heart was just racing all afternoon during the storm."

"It was so horrible once I walked out of that schoolhouse, DK," replied Diddy, "Wrinkly had ordered everyone to stay in the classroom except for me, because she had gotten over all that bullying nonsense."

"She's angry at the whole class now?" said a surprised DK.

"She was furious with all of my classmates," added Diddy, "But Fomali was even more furious I'd assume. He chased me through the jungle once I was let free, then came that terrible storm that darkened my vision. The rain was so torrential, and the clouds were so heavy that my vision was blacked out, and I could only see properly when lightning struck. I couldn't keep track of where I was. I thought Fomali would finally kill me once I tripped on a loose branch and stopped against a rocky wall. He pulled his knife out and made another attempt to murder me, but Dixie came in at the last possible moment and dumped his head into a puddle of mud."

"Wow. That must have been so scary," said DK, feeling so shocked by this nightmarish story about Diddy's afternoon after school.

"I told her that I just wanted to go home, but she offered me to stay at her place for a while until the storm settled down. She seems to care so much about me, maybe even as much as you do," explained Diddy, "I … I don't know how to put it, … but … I … I think she loves me."

"Aww. Isn't that nice, little buddy?" said DK in a gentle chuckle, "There's a girl who loves you so much that she's willing to take care of you whenever I'm not around."

"I think I love her, too," added Diddy, "I sense we may call each other boyfriend and girlfriend one day soon."

"That would be great, little buddy! You'll have a new friend to spend time with, to play outside with and to have many great times with! You're such a lucky little monkey!" chuckled DK, earning a playful giggle from Diddy, "I feel so grateful that she and Chunky took such good care of you during the storm. I feel that we should give them something."

"Like what?" asked Diddy.

"It's hard to think about something so pleasant, but we'll think of something," answered DK, "For now, though, we should get home and have a nice family nap like we mentioned this morning."

"Oh yeah! I almost forgot about that!" said Diddy happily.

"Home, here we come!" they shouted together.

DK started running through the jungle while Diddy held on tightly to his neck. Luckily, DK knew his way around the jungle very well, and within the next fifteen minutes, they had found their sweet home tree house!

The gorilla climbed up the ladder and sprinted across the porch. Then, he opened the door and stepped into their ever-so-humble living room before closing the door behind them.

"Home sweet home, little buddy," said DK.

Diddy let out a yawn just as DK looked out a window and finally realized that the sun was beginning to set.

"It may be a little early to go to bed, … but do ya wanna go ahead and settle in on the couch with me?" asked DK.

"I think it's best if we go ahead and simply settle down on the couch for the night," answered Diddy.

The two grinned at each other as they thought about that warm thought, then DK sat down on the couch while Diddy took his backpack off and hopped onto DK's lap.

Diddy looked at the clock and found that it was only 6:00 PM.

"You do know that we haven't had dinner yet," said DK, "Wanna have something to eat first before we go to bed on the couch?" offered DK.

"Sure, DK," replied Diddy, "I think I'll have another banana sandwich, cus' it's all I'm in the mood for right now."

"Okay, little buddy. I'll be right back," said DK, and he got off the couch and headed into the kitchen.

Diddy pulled the couch blanket down from on top of the couch, and he rested his head on a pillow on the armrest while waiting for DK to return. He thought about his romantic time with Dixie and pondered DK's words about how he had found a new friend.

"I'm sure I'm right," the little monkey said to himself, "I think I may have potentially found a girlfriend. Dixie seems to love me with all her heart, just like DK does as an uncle. She may be the perfect girl for me."

DK returned a moment later with a plate in his right hand. On that plate was a banana sandwich for Diddy.

"Here ya go, little buddy. One bedtime banana sandwich for dinner," commented DK.

"Thanks, big buddy," replied Diddy happily as he took the sandwich and placed the plate on his lap, "This should be delicious."

The simian grabbed the sandwich from the plate and took a few small bites. His tongue once again instantly enjoyed that fresh banana taste. No matter how many times a day he ate bananas, the taste was always fresh to him, as if he had never eaten a banana before.

"I love your banana sandwiches so much, DK. They're so enjoyable for my mouth," commented Diddy, "But not as much as I love you, DK! I love you more than anything else in the world!"

"Aww, my sweet little Diddy-buddy. I love you more than anything else, too!" replied DK happily.

The ape watched as his nephew finished eating his sandwich, then the monkey set his plate below the nearby lamp just before DK grabbed him and pulled him right back onto his lap.

"Hehehehehey!" giggled Diddy playfully, "You're so much fun, DK!"

"And you're so much fun to be with, too!" replied DK, "You're such a little cutey monkey!"

With that, DK lied down and rested his head on the pillow, and he started tickling Diddy's feet with one hand while hugging him tightly with the other hand, preventing him from escaping.

"Eek! Eekeeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeeee!" laughed Diddy happily, "Thahahahahat tihihihihicklehehehehes!"

"Because it's time for some bedtime tickles that will help you get to sleep, my little buddy!" chuckled DK playfully.

DK tickled Diddy's heels and toes for several minutes, creating such wild sensations that kept Diddy laughing to his uncle's content. Then, the ape wrapped them both with their couch blanket, pulling the giant cloth all the way up to their necks, before blowing a gentle raspberry kiss on Diddy's face.

"Mmmmmhmhmhmhmhmhmhmhmhmhmhmmm!" giggled Diddy with a muffled voice as his mouth was sealed inside DK's mouth.

The monkey's face vibrated slightly as his uncle kissed him with a loving raspberry kiss.

DK then grabbed a napkin and wiped the saliva off Diddy's face before wrapping both arms around his nephew's back in a tight bear hug that would soothe him to sleep.

Diddy wrapped both arms around DK's neck and rested his head on his uncle's cheek.

"My heart suddenly feels so thankful," whispered Diddy, "For the first time in my life, I actually feel happy."

"I'm so happy to hear that you're finally happy, little buddy," replied DK with a warm smile, "Also, I'm sure it can't be the first time in your life that you've been happy."

"Well, … other than the first two years of my life when my parents were around, … but this is the first time I've really been happy about this first step for a better life for me," explained Diddy, "Of course, I've been so happy to be with you, and I'm so happy that you've been a wonderful uncle for me, but I've never been happy about life outside of home until now. I had very few friends to play with, such as Timber, … but now … I've found a girl."

"See, little Diddy-buddy?" said DK happily, "Just like I told you, … you should never give up hope about your social life, just like you should never give up on your quest for heroism. You're a wonderful nephew, Diddy, … and I'm very happy that I get to teach you how to be a hero. It may make it feel as if we're a teacher and student in heroism, but at heart, … you and I have the best uncle and nephew relationship out of anyone on Kongo Bongo."

"Maybe even the world," added Diddy.

"Possibly," agreed DK, "Above all, little buddy, … I'm very proud of you, little Diddy-buddy … for not giving up hope. I told ya your heart was one strong little thing … patiently waiting for something wonderful to happen, … and it's happened. You may still be waiting for your moment of heroism to come someday, but on the other side you've found a girl, … all because you never gave up hope."

"DK?" said Diddy.

"Yes, my little nephew?" replied DK gently.

"I wanna thank you for all the encouragement you've given me, … and for everything you've taught me about heroism and about being social," said Diddy, "You're more than just a teacher and an uncle to me. You're just like a father to me."

"Aw, Diddy, you're so very welcome, little buddy," said DK happily, "I'm glad I could help you and guide you through your childhood all the way up to this stage in life, and I'm glad to be just like a father to you. You deserve some family kisses for that."

With that, DK blew some more family kisses all over Diddy's face, making the monkey blush as their family love towards each other constantly grew to higher levels beyond what anyone else could imagine.

Diddy returned the kisses all over DK's face, and the two kissed each other on the lips like a father and son before Diddy let out another yawn.

"Ready to get some sleep, my little nephew?" asked DK.

"I'm ready, my big uncle," replied Diddy.

The duo shared some grins and giggles before they finally settled down in their never-ending cuddly hug.

"I love you, Diddy, my sweet, precious, little nephew," whispered DK.

"I love you, too, DK, my sweet, wonderful, big uncle," replied Diddy in a whisper.

"Sweet dreams, little buddy."

"Sweet dreams, big buddy."

"Goodnight, Diddy."

"Goodnight, DK."

At last, the two Kongs closed their eyes and fell asleep together on the couch once again like a father/baby couple. Diddy's mouth was still showing a bright grin as he felt his uncle softly hugging him to sleep under their blanket.

And so, a little monkey who once had a heart with no hope now has a very thankful heart, now that he's found himself a girl with romantic interest in him.

My next chapter will be the epilogue that will eventually close this fanfic. Look forward to that coming soon!

Until then, see you later! ;)