"Sacrifices"

Summary: Alternate version of how things go down when Yona and Yoon infiltrate Kum-Ji's trafficking ring, and the events that follow. Major hurt/comfort. Based off the anime.

XxxxxxxXxxxxxx

"I will do it."

Everyone's head snapped toward the crimson haired girl in front of them.

Hak's heart nearly stopped.

"No," he said in an instant. "Absolutely not."

"That's out of the question!" Kija was quick to add.

Yona turned towards her friends.

"I have to," she stated firmly.

"You sure kiddo?" Jae-Ha asked hesitantly.

"I'm the only one here who can."

The look in her eyes was one Hak loved and feared more than anything. It was the look of sheer determination, so resolute that nothing and no one would stand in her way.

She had become so strong throughout their journey, and he had witnessed that look more than once. But what normally would have filled him with pride only terrified him now.

"Princess please understand how dangerous this is," he said desperately. "You would be putting yourself directly in the hands of those vile men who could do Lord knows what to you and –"

"And if they find out who you are they'll kill you!" Yoon yelled, unable to hold back his own worried frustration.

"I have to take that chance," she said standing strong. "Think of the people in Awa who live in constant fear and abuse because of Kum-Ji. And the women he's already taken. All of them will continue to suffer if I don't do this."

She could see how worried they all were, and her heart swelled at how much they cared for her. Her face softened.

"My life is no more valuable than theirs," she added gently.

The ship went quiet, a reluctant understanding washing over them.

"Yes it is…" Hak whispered under his breath. His gaze dropping to the floor in anguish.

The 3 dragons all shared his expression.

Jae-Ha couldn't help the sudden surge of protectiveness that washed over him at Yona's words. It surprised him almost as much as she did.

Yona turned back to Gi-Gan, whose expression hadn't changed. But Yona could see the calculating going on behind her eyes.

Although Yona knew she was doing this with or without her blessing, she didn't realize how badly she still wanted the captain's approval.

After a beat that felt like forever, a smirk slowly curved at the corner of the older woman's lips.

"You got spunk girly."

Yona beamed inside.

"But going on your own would be suicide. Not to mention you'll need help with the firework," she continued. "You'll need at least one more volunteer to go with you."

"I'll go," Hak and Kija said in unison, while Shin-Ha just silently raised his hand.

"Oh please," Jae-Ha laughed, "Kum-Ji will accept nothing less than pure beauty."

He flipped his long green hair over his shoulder, "So obviously I'll go."

"Sorry fellas," the captain cut in, "but no one's gonna take any one of ya for a lady."

Her gaze wandered over to the smaller one of the new recruits. Another smirk forming as they locked eyes.

"But you on the other hand," Yoon's eyes widened, "have just the right amount of girlish charm…"

Everyone looked over at the abnormally attractive young male.

"Woah hold on," Yoon put his hands up in defense.

"I mean of course I'm beautiful," he agreed, "but I don't fight. Yona's in just as much danger with or without me."

"But you can handle explosives," Gi-Gan countered. "And you're the only gent here who could pull off a dress."

The pirates around him nodded in agreement. A snide comment here and there about seeing him in a dress.

Yoon shook with annoyance. She wasn't wrong but Yoon didn't like the idea of Yona going through with this in general, let alone her doing it with him as her only defense.

He saw Yona looking at him with a soft smile on her face. Her eyes showed no demand or contempt in them, just warmth. She was clearly set on the fact that this was her mission and she wouldn't force anyone else to do it with her.

Well at least him going with her would be better than Yona being alone, he thought to himself.

He sighed in defeat.

"I'll go with you Yona."

He saw her face light up at his words and a slight blush formed on his cheeks, causing him to look away.

"I may be a pacifist but…" he looked back at her with conviction in his eyes, "I swear I will protect you with my life."

Yona ran over and gave him a big hug.

"Thanks Yoon," she whispered and his blush returned.

"Yeah well it's not like I didn't have enough to do," he mock complained once she let go. "Now I gotta make a firework too."

Yona giggled.

The 3 dragons were slightly placated now that Yoon would be with her, but only slightly.

Hak on the other hand still didn't like it one bit. But he knew there was no use arguing with the Princess so he stood there in brooding silence.

"It's settled then," Gi-Gan announced. "Tomorrow we put our plan in motion."

XxxxxxxXxxxxxx

The next day Yona, and a now female version of Yoon, went to the shop where all of the women had been taken.

It was no surprise the store clerk had "hired" them both without hesitation. Which led them to now being roughly thrown into the ship's cargo hold where all of the other women were being held.

They both landed hard on the ground before the door slammed shut behind them.

The room was silent as everyone stared at the two new women now joining their fate.

Yoon let out a groan as he pushed himself off the ground. Looking over at Yona he noticed her wince as she tried to do the same.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked her worriedly.

He scooched over and gently helped her sit up.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she reassured him with a small smile. "Thanks."

As they took in the faces around them, Yona could clearly see how scared these women were. The last bit of her nerves vanished as she remembered why they were there, her determination once again taking hold.

"I know you're all scared right now," Yona stood up as she addressed them all, "but everything's going to be okay. We're here to help get you back home to your loved ones. Our friends on the outside are preparing to take down Kum-Ji's ships as we speak."

Yoon had stood up behind her to reinforce her claim.

The women's eyes darted back and forth between one another in surprise at Yona's words. They wanted to believe her but they were hesitant to hope so easily.

Before anymore could be said though the door suddenly slammed open again behind them, causing them all to jump.

A few of the guards made their way in as they leered over the women.

"Make yourselves presentable ladies," one of them said with a sickening grin, "you're about to be in the presence of your Lord Kum-Ji."

Another guard crouched down beside one of the shaking women.

"You should be so lucky," he said as he ran his fingers through her hair. Her face turned away in fear.

Yona shook with rage.

"Leave her alone," she yelled.

She was about to march over to him when a deep voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Ah, so this is the crimson beauty you spoke of."

Everyone gasped as they turned toward the looming presence in the doorway.

"She's going to be a feisty one I see," Kum-Ji smirked as he took her in.

All of the guards bowed down on one knee as he entered the room.

Yona stood her ground as Kum-Ji walked up in front of her, eyeing her up and down.

"In all my life I've only seen one other girl with hair like yours," he mused. "it was the daughter of the late King Il. I saw her only once from a distance while visiting Kouka. She was turned away from me but that hair… so majestic in the wind…"

Kum-Ji reached up to play with a strand of her hair.

He couldn't deny the similarity. And although it seemed a ridiculous thought, to think that another could share that same beauty seemed almost just as unlikely.

Yona tensed, as did Yoon beside her. They were worried about being made as pirates but they hadn't considered anyone here recognizing the Princess, and if Kum-Ji made her out this was about to get very bad.

"I don't suppose there's any relation?" He asked her casually while still twirling the crimson strand between his fingers.

"You think me royalty?" Yona asked with as much innocence as she could muster.

In the blink of an eye Kum-Ji's hand smacked her hard across the face, a surprised cry escaping her lips.

Yoon's eyes shot up as he watched Yona fall to the ground from the force of it. It happened so fast he didn't even have time to react.

The women around them were just as shocked at his quick display of aggression. If they weren't terrified already then they were now.

"Don't be a fool. Obviously I was joking," Kum-Ji said a bit annoyed. "To think a filthy wench like you would be considered royalty."

What was he thinking? Of course she couldn't be a royal, Kum-Ji thought.

The side of Yona's face throbbed as she pushed herself up off the ground for the second time. She barely had a chance to catch her breath before Kum-ji roughly grabbed her hair to bring her back up on her feet.

"There's no denying though that a crimson haired girl would fetch me a very high price," his grip tightened as he tilted her head back enough to meet his eyes. Yona let out a yelp.

"But I don't know, a rare beauty such as yourself," he eyed her hungrily, "I may just have to keep for myself…"

He caressed her cheek with his free hand while Yona trembled beneath him.

"Stop!" Yoon yelled, unable to take it anymore.

He scrambled to think of what to do as Kum-Ji met his gaze.

"Please take me instead," he said before he could stop himself. "I'm sure I can pleasure you way more than she can."

Yoon gave him a wink with a flick of his long hair, hoping it would be enough to draw his attention from Yona.

"Please let me show you."

Kum-Ji scoffed a laugh, clearly amused.

"I might like to see that," he said.

He shoved Yona aside, releasing his grip on her.

It took every ounce of Yoon's self-control not to falter as Kum-Ji came up in front of him, eying him up and down.

Then, just as abruptly as his last assault, Kum-Ji punched Yoon in the gut. Hard.

Yona gasped.

Yoon fell to the ground, the wind completely knocked out of him. Specs of red fell to the floor as he coughed up blood.

"But don't ever interrupt me again," Kum-Ji glared down at him.

He reached down to grab Yoon by the back of his hair, much like he did with Yona, but as soon as he got a fist full his face dead panned.

By the way Yoon's head jerked back with a wince he definitely made purchase but he swore he felt something, shift.

Kum-Ji quickly released his grip only to roughly pull back the head bandana Yoon was wearing, removing his wig with it…

The whole room gasped as the long locks fell to the floor.

Yona and Yoon stared in horror.

"It's a boy!" one of the guards yelled.

"He must be with those pirates," another said.

Kum-Ji growled in frustration.

He kicked Yoon in the side sending him flying a few feet back. He landed hard on the ground in front of some of the guards.

"You think you can pull one on me?" Kum-Ji raged.

Two of the guards pulled Yoon up roughly by each arm. They held him there firmly, his legs sagging beneath him.

Kum-Ji came up right in front of his face, willing him to meet his eyes.

"You don't know who you're dealing with," he sneered before backhanding him hard across the face.

"Yoon!" Yona choked out as her eyes teared up with worry.

She had to do something but she didn't know what.

Kum-Ji turned his back on him as he gave his orders.

"Take him up on deck. Make sure those pirates can see him in full view before slitting his throat."

"NO!"

Yona let out a desperate cry.

They all looked at her while she looked at poor Yoon bleeding and injured because of her. She couldn't bear the thought of him dying for her too.

She stood up straight glaring at Kum-Ji defiantly.

"I demand you release him at once!"

She had everyone's attention now. Yoon could just lift his head enough to see the resolve in her eyes before he could stop her next words.

"By order of the Princess," she said with fire blazing in her eyes.

Once again the whole room gasped.

Kum-Ji looked at her with calculating eyes. He had his suspicions but was still not convinced someone of royalty would find their way on his ship like this.

"My name is Princess Yona, daughter of King Il of the Kouka Kingdom. And it was my hair that you saw that day."

Even now, battered and bruised, the way she stood there with her eyes boring into him as she took command of the room… even he couldn't deny how regal she suddenly looked.

After a beat, Kum-Ji scoffed out a laugh in response.

"In that case, I should have your head."

"You could," she didn't hesitate. "But how much do you think someone would pay to have the runaway Princess in their possession?"

"Yona no!" Yoon was wide awake now.

"He is nothing more than a body guard accompanying me on my mission to spy on you," she said gesturing to Yoon. "He was only following his orders."

"Some body guard," the guards mocked.

Yona didn't blink.

"Release him and I will come with you as your captive, to barter with as you choose."

"No!" Yoon cried out again. "Yona don't!"

Yona looked over at him knowingly.

As naturally as she could she placed her hands over her stomach. She made sure he was looking before she used her thumb to pat right where Yoon had the firework hidden in his own dress.

His eyes widened as he looked back up at her with realization.

Not only was Yona trying to save his life, she was also saving the one shot they had at signaling the others to where they were.

Tears streamed down his face as Yona gave him a small smile. Of course she would just sacrifice herself for the sake of these women's lives, and his own.

"That's quite an impressive proposition," Kum-Ji said as he walked up in front of Yona.

"But you forget," he bent down slightly to look her directly in the eyes, "you already belong to me. Princess."

With that he grabbed her by the back of the hair again, even rougher than before.

Yona let out a cry grabbing for his hand as he pulled her toward the door to leave.

"No! Please!" Yoon begged. "Do whatever you want to me just leave her alone!"

One of the guards holding him punched him in the side to shut him up.

"What should we do with him now sir?" the other guard holding him asked.

Kum-Ji stopped abruptly, Yona still in his grasp.

"I already told you," he looked back at them over his shoulder, "take him up top and send those pirates a message."

"No!" Yona struggled harder in Kum-Ji's grasp as he pushed her out the door. "Yoon!"

"YONA!"

The door slammed shut.

"Yona…" Yoon choked out. He couldn't believe this was happening.

"Alright pretty boy let's go," the one guard said as they began to drag him.

Yoon struggled all he could but their grip was too strong.

As they forced him up the stairs toward the top deck he desperately tried to think of something. Yona's only chance was if he set off the firework so backup would come.

When they neared the top Yoon could make out a hanging lantern across the way. The glowing flame was just what he needed if he could get to it.

Passing the last step the guards shoved him down onto the deck in front of them, landing hard on his face.

"Filthy pirate," the one said before kicking Yoon in the same side Kum-Ji had. He let out a cry as he lay shaking on the ground, his vision was starting to blur a bit at the pain.

"Let's tie him up," the other one ordered.

As the guard went over to get the rope he suddenly noticed the ships all around them.

"What the…"

They knew they were under attack but it seemed like every one of their ships was either being taken over or in flames.

The other guard took notice as well as he moved slightly to get a better look.

Yoon was having trouble just breathing, let alone moving, but he knew this moment of distraction was the one and only chance he was going to get. He had to push himself, for Yona.

Using every ounce of adrenaline he could muster Yoon sprung up from the ground and ran towards the lantern, pulling the firework out of his dress in the process.

Both guards snapped back as they heard him move and were quick to run after him.

They grabbed him just as he got the firework into the candle's flame but luckily it shot off before he was tackled to the ground.

They all looked up as they heard the explosion go off above them.

Yoon smiled in triumph, while the two on top of him turned to rage.

"Why you –" they roughly pulled Yoon up on his feet.

At the sound of the explosion the other guards from down below came rushing up onto the deck with their swords drawn.

The two holding Yoon had retrieved the rope and began binding him tightly.

"What's going on?"

"What was that?"

The guards around them began questioning.

Yoon, now tied up, was tossed over into the center of them.

"This brat sent off a signal," the one said.

They looked down at Yoon in anger.

"Let them come," the other said as he went up to Yoon and pulled his head back by his hair.

"We can give them his head."

With that he drew his own sword and brought it right up to Yoon's neck.

Yoon closed his eyes as he tensed for the blow. His only thought was that he hoped they got to Yona in time.

Just as the guard was about to swing his blade a giant gust of wind knocked him back, releasing Yoon in the process.

At the sound of grunts and groans, Yoon tentatively opened his eyes only to notice most of the men around him had been knocked out. In front of him Jae-Ha looked completely at ease as he took out a couple more with one kick.

Yoon could only stare in awe.

"Hey," Yoon jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder. "You okay?"

He sighed in relief when he saw who it was.

"Lightening Beast…"

Hak looked him over and frowned in concern at the state he was in.

"Hold still a sec," he said as he cut through the binds with one slice.

As they fell away Yoon turned to face Hak suddenly frantic.

"Hak he has Yona!"

Jae-Ha turned his attention at her name.

"Kum-Ji, he knows she's the Princess," Yoon was breathless, "and he took her!"

Hak's eyes went wide with panic.

Jae-Ha shared a similar expression while Yoon stared at them desperately.

"Dammit!" Hak swore as he ran a hand through his hair trying to think straight.

Suddenly all three of their heads snapped up at the sound of more men coming aboard from a connecting ship.

"More mercenaries. A lot of them" Jae-Ha confirmed.

Hak gritted his teeth.

"Yoon, get somewhere safe and stay there," he said nodding behind them.

It took some effort but Yoon gingerly picked himself up, not wanting to be in the way. Jae-Ha helped him get over behind some nearby crates.

As the men advanced Hak readied his glaive with a new found rage.

"No more holding back," he said more to himself than anything.

"That makes two of us," Jae-Ha agreed coming back up next to him.

Together they sprung into action as they sliced their way through the onslaught of men.

Yoon was watching them from behind the crate when something caught his eye across the water. He stood up to try and get a better look.

No one could even come close to touching the Lightening Beast and Green Dragon but because of the sheer number it was taking too long.

"We need to find the Princess," Hak let out his frustration as he swung in a circle, taking out five men at once.

Jae-Ha took out three more, "You go, I'll finish up here."

"YONA!"

They both turned to see Yoon running to the edge of the ship staring out into the water.

They followed his gaze and immediately their hearts stopped at what they saw.

Out in the open water, in a rowboat, was Kum-Ji with a lone rower paddling him away.

And sitting on his lap, with his hand in her hair and a sword at her throat, was Yona.

"Princess!" Hak yelled out in anguish as he ran up to the edge as well.

The fighting seemed to cease on the ship as everyone took in the Lord running away with the Princess.

Kum-Ji looked at them with a menacing grin, taunting them. Making the most of the situation he hardened his grip on Yona causing a small cry to escape her lips as he pulled her closer to his chest.

Hak saw red as Kum-Ji put his face to her, breathing in her scent in a disgustingly sensual manner. Yona trembled beneath him as she tried to turn away but his grip was strong.

"Jae-Ha can you reach them?" Yoon asked urgently.

The Green Dragon stood there in rigid frustration.

"Yes but if I do he'll slit her throat as soon as I leave the ground," he said balling his fists.

Yoon looked back over at the small boat with worry.

Hak's knuckles were white as he squeezed his glaive. He had the same thought as Jae-Ha, if they made a wrong move Kum-Ji wouldn't hesitate to kill her in an instant. But there just had to be something he could do. Anything.

The remaining mercenaries suddenly came out of their daze.

Hoping to use the distraction to their advantage they resumed their attack.

Hak and Jae-Ha, still keeping tabs on Yona, continued to deflect and take out every one that came at them. Somewhat glad to have an outlet for their rage.

From the rowboat Kum-Ji watched as these pirates took out his men with such ease. Even he had to admit those two were a force to be reckoned with.

It was clear his men were going to lose the battle before him and he was glad to have made his escape when he did. That being said though, he could tell those two were going to be a problem for him in the future if they weren't taken care of.

Luckily he had the sense to grab a few things before abandoning ship.

He pushed Yona down in front of the guard rowing.

"Stay down and don't get any ideas," he warned. "People will pay just as high a price for a damaged Princess, so I'd hate for you to make this worse on yourself."

Kum-Ji sheathed his sword in his belt before turning to rummage through the large sac he had brought.

Yona was terrified.

She too was quick to realize the pirates had already won this fight. Seeing that Yoon was alright with Hak and Jae-Ha taking out the last of Kum-Ji's men, she knew everyone was going to be okay. And she was beyond relieved.

But now that they were in the clear, the horror of her own predicament caught up to her.

Her whole body hurt as she tried to figure out what Kum-Ji was doing now.

He had already pulled out a bow and was now fiddling with an arrow. He had a funny looking little package with a tail he was trying to stick through the arrowhead.

Kum-Ji noticed Yona looking at it in confusion and he gave her a sinister grin.

"What, you think you're the only ones with explosives?"

He chuckled as he strung the arrow, with its new addition, onto his bow.

Yona's eyes widened with a gasp in realization.

He was going to blow up their ship!

Yona looked back over towards her friends on the ship with worry.

Almost immediately she locked eyes with Hak, who had returned to the edge now that the fight was over. Even in the distance she could see the fear mirrored in his eyes. But of course, his was for a different reason.

Yona looked back at Kum-Ji who, with the arrow drawn, was dangling the tail of the explosive into the flame lantern hanging at the back of their boat.

Her heart raced as she tried to think of something. She could not let him shoot that arrow.

Jae-Ha could probably get away in time but he wouldn't be able to carry both Yoon and Hak. And not to mention all of those women still on board.

She frantically looked around for anything that could help her.

Looking behind her, it was really the first time she fully acknowledged the guard standing there paddling both oars.

What caught her eye though was the sword he had sheathed on his own belt.

Sparing a quick glance back at Kum-Ji, as soon as she saw him turn to take aim with the lit arrow she reacted on impulse.

Turning back towards the guard she lunged for his belt.

The guard looked at her in shock but with both of his hands occupied he couldn't stop her before she pulled out his sword.

Using all the strength she had left she swung as hard as she could toward Kum-Ji.

Seeing it from the corner of his eye, Kum-Ji dodged the surprise attack in the nick of time but it caused him to lose his balance.

As he faltered his hand slipped and ended up releasing the arrow into the water in front of them.

"Why you little!" Kum-Ji roared as he regained his bearings.

He threw the bow down in rage and went for his sword but as his hand grabbed the hilt he suddenly froze.

Time seemed to stand still.

Hak, Jae-Ha, and Yoon all stared from the ship with the same wide-eyed expression, their mouths agape.

With speed that could almost rival the Lightening Beast's, Yona had pierced her blade straight through Kum-Ji's heart before he could get his own sword out.

His shocked face looked up to see Yona glaring back at him. A wild fire in her eyes unlike anything he had ever seen before.

As blood dribbled down the side of his mouth, Yona pulled the sword out causing his body to buck with a cry.

She panted heavily, still glaring, as she watched him slowly stumble to the edge.

Just as he was about to keel over into the water, his hand that was wrapped around his hilt used the momentum to pull up in one swift motion. And in doing so, slashed the unsuspecting Princess straight across the chest.

"NO!"

The three on ship cried in absolute horror.

Simultaneously Kum-Ji went over the edge as Yona was thrown backwards from the force, her own blood spurting out.

Jae-Ha was in the air before Yona hit the floor.

She was suddenly on her back lying there in white hot agony. Her vision blurring.

At seeing the Green Dragon land down on the boat, the lone guard decided to take his chances and jumped ship. But Jae-Ha didn't give him a second thought.

"Yona!" He said kneeling down beside her frantically.

He gently lifted her head as he looked her over.

She was in bad shape, very bad. The slash had nearly cut her entire front from her hip up to the opposite shoulder, and it was pretty steadily bleeding out.

He looked into her eyes which were already glazed over.

"Hey, you just hang in there kiddo," he urged. "We're gonna take care of you."

He carefully picked her up in his arms, and the last thing she felt was the exhilarating feeling of flying.

And then, darkness…

XxxxxxxXxxxxxx

To be continued.

As always thank you for reading and for any reviews.

- J