Author's notes : This scene is set after Soo-won, and the four generals (Mundok and Han-Dae included) arrive at Kushibi's fort, correspond in the manga to chapter 119. They won't spot Hak, Kija and Shin-Ah fighting bare-hands against Sei soldiers, so our happy hungry bunch won't make an appearance in this fic, well at least not in the first chapters sorry guys, it also breaks my heart lol. Also, English isn't my native language, so I apologize in advance if there are some mistakes, and I'm sure there will be. This will also be my first fanfiction =) Hope you will enjoy it. Rated M for safety. Constructive remarks and reviews are welcomed.

Disclaimer: I do not own Akatsuki no Yona and it's characters, it all belongs to the wonderful Kusanagi Mizuho.

Chapter 1: Unexpected Encounter

*Huff huff* I've finally made it, this is it ... Kushibi's fort. I have to save Lili, I won't let her die, ever ! She thinks as she clenched her fist. Okay, Yona, calm down and think ... how can I enter the fort without being killed or made prisoner ? Sneaking into the fort is not an option, there are guards watching the front gate, and soldiers above ready to aim at my head and release their arrows if I make one wrong move. Can I even enter the fort? - No, I can't think like that, it's not whether I can or can't, but if I will. And I will. Lili saved my life, I abandon her in this place!

.. But how am I going to enter this huge fort?

*Mmh* I guess I need a diversion first to enter, and another one to capture every soldiers attention and Kushibi's as well, in order to get Lili out of the execution grounds. But how am I going to do that?

Then she remembered something Jae-ha told her a long time ago, when she asked him if there was any other way she could protect herself if she had no weapon : Yona dear, all men know how to appreciate a woman's body, if you know how to use it correctly, it can even become the greatest weapon, but be careful, it can also backfire.

Of course, that's it ! Well I'm not that confident about my charms as a woman, but if there's one thing I know how to do well, it's definitely dance. I have it.. my diversion. But I doubt Kushibi will let me in just because I'm an entertainer.

She thought some more and came to a conlusion. Well I already have to lie about that, so lying about coming from the Red-Light District shouldn't cause any problem.

Soo-won and his whole team composed of Geun-tae, Joo-doh, Tae-woo, Joon-gi, Han-dae, Mundok and a few Water Tribe soldiers had also made their way to Kushibi's Fort.

"Whew, that sure was a long walk. Man I'm tired, looks like I'm getting old.. what about you Mundok ?" the Earth Tribe General asked.

"No, this old man is doing perfectly fine" Mundok replied.

"You! ... We're not here to take a peaceful stroll, but to save An Joon-gi's daughter !" Joo-doh said with his usual irritaded tone when talking to Geun-tae.

"This temper of yours is the reason you still have no wife to take care of you, you're becoming old as well, should I help you find a good wife ?" he said enjoying teasing his former student.

"Kisama, I don't need your concern, mind your own business!"

"Now, now, if the two of you are that loud, we will be spotted, please remain calm" Soo-won said.

"Your Majesty, there's a person walking towards the entrance" observed Joon-gi who hadn't uttered a single word since their departure from Hotsuma's fort. The men turned towards the direction Joon-gi had mentionned.

...

Yona spotted two soldiers speaking together posted at the entrance of the fort. She walked to them, until they could finally notice her. "Halt woman! this is Lord Kushibi's fort, reveal your identity and your motives, or you will be killed!" said one of them with authority.

Yona removed her hood, letting her bright red hair sparkle under the sunlight. To her surprise, she was using a calm and confident tone, but inside she was terrified. "My name is Rina, I'm a travelling entertainer and a prostitute, I was hired by Lord Hotsuma to help Lord Kushibi enjoy a good show and help him relax".

The two Sei soldiers exchanged a dubious look before speaking again. "One of us will go inform Lord Kushibi of your arrival, and ask for his permission to let you in, wait outside for now".

A few minutes later, the soldier came back, "Lord Kushibi gave his permission, you can enter, follow us, we will bring you to him". Yona could feel her heartbeat accelerate as she went through the gate.

"A young woman with red hair, Your Majesty, could this person be…Princess Yona?" Joon-gi asked.

"How can that be? Wasn't she supposed to be dead, after falling from the cliff between the Wind and Fire Tribes, what the hell is this!?" continued Geun-tae. All men stared wide eyed at the small figure waiting for entrance at the front gate.

"What is the Princess doing in such a place, and why is she trying to pass for an entertainer and a prostitute on top of it ?" Tae-woo asked.

Soo-won and Joo-doh couldn't believe what was right in front of their eyes. And they weren't the only ones. But for them, who knew Yona as a weak, carefree and pampered princess, who had shared most of their life living together in the castle, whom Soo-won and Joo-doh had come to see as a little sister, this was one of the most shocking view.

Joon-gi, Geun-tae, Joo-doh and Soo-won all took a few steps towards Yona, but were still far enough so they could not to be seen, leaving the Wind Tribe members a few steps behind. Everyone was busy looking at the Princess they almost all thought was dead.

Tae-woo then whispered to Mundok, panic and worry obvious in his words. "Elder, what do we do, from what I can see Hak isn't with her, and from what we've heard, the Princess is going to face Kushibi, that's no joke. This man is freaking dangerous and insane. We already know what he's capable of thanks to the spies we sent to infiltrate the fort. This man will use any means to get what he wants, he already killed one of the spies. The one who's still alive and managed to escape this place said in his report that Kushibi had his friend tortured mentally and physically. He made him the target of soldiers training with the bow, by the five dragon gods he even burned him alive afterwards! The Princess can't stay here, and not without any protection, we don't know what that bastard will do to her if he discovers her true identity and-"

"Tae-woo" interrupted Mundok "First of all take a deep breath and calm down, I know how you feel, the Princess is part of our family, but being impatient and reckless won't help us save her. It will only endanger her. As to why she is alone and defenceless, that is something we should ask her directly. For now, we will protect her, that's what I swore to King Il and to the five dragon gods, and I plan to stay true to these words".

Tae-woo and Han-dae nodded in agreement.

After a moment of silence, Soo-won and the four Generals advanced towards the front gate of the execution grounds, following Yona's footsteps.

Re-edited on october 26th, 2017.