"What beautiful eyes. I'm about to be sucked in… Right now, I might be trying to become a blue dragon's meal, but… Why is my heart fluttering? For the first time, I'm looking straight into his eyes. The pain and the suffering, even the tiny amounts of happiness – all of the things shut up away inside of his eyes, have been released. He's finally looking at the world. His eyes are sparkling. Just as I thought, I really like your eyes..."
Caught In Your Eyes
Of the Moonlight, Of the Sun
I am entranced.
The golden eyes that bore into mine with such intensity; I loved them. I truly did.
Shin-ah's gaze flicked away from mine and he turned his head to face the fire that was being stoked by Hak. Yoon snapped me back to attention when he asked me if I wanted any more to eat of the meal. I turned down thirds and thanked him. All of us sat together, Kija still finishing up his portion and Jae-ha drinking next to Hak. I appreciated our closeness and friendliness to one another. It was one of the many things that made me happy in these somewhat dark times.
"Yona? You're spacing out, my dear…"
I looked past the flames to Jae-ha's smiling face and blinked at the slight crinkle given by his visible eye.
He's right. I've been in thought too much lately.
A soft sigh escaped my lips when I discretely took a look at the one who occupied my mind as of late.
"Sorry," I apologized to him. "I've just been thinking."
"Oh?"
"That can't be good," Hak piped in after Jae-ha. "Must be a bad omen."
I gawked. "Hey!"
"Hak do not tease our dear princess. Yona, it must be a very serious subject for you to have been thinking so much on it," Kija said, putting down his bowl.
"Mm, Yona has been bit spacey. Is there something you need help with?"
I shook my head at Yoon, who swatted at Zeno's hands preventing him from getting more food. They were so prying! Like gossiping middle-aged women of the court. One person who did not add to the fire talks was the ever silent Shin-ah. The one everybody was unaware they were asking about.
"It's nothing," I told them all, oblivious to the blush creeping up my cheeks. "I was just thinking about the future?"
My terrible attempt of a cover up went unnoticed and they all nodded and began a swift discussion of what we might need to prepare for in the next coming days. I kept my mouth closed and listened, nodded or giving an affirmative when needed. Glad that the attention had been diverted away from me for the time being, I sneaked another glance at the blue dragon who was sitting only a little less than a meter away from me. His head never moved away from facing the fire, but I knew he was looking at me. I could feel it.
"I'll go hunting."
"Yeah?" I nodded to Yoon who seemed to approve. "Well, we are running low on meat, so that would be helpful."
"I'll catch us lot then!"
"Not too much please…"
I walked past Hak a bit awkward and made my way into the forest. Just as I went a little ways into the tree line, footfalls from behind alerted me to someone's arrival.
"Hold on Yona! Zeno is coming!"
I waited for him to catch up and looked at the out of breath yellow dragon.
"You okay, Zeno?"
Huffing he nodded 'yes' before standing straight, stretching his back.
"Whew, you walk fast. Much faster than this old man!"
I giggled at his antics and inquired as to why he was with me. He relayed that Yoon wanted someone to accompany me and the Thunderbeast was currently helping set the tent. I understood that Hak would have wanted to come with me at all costs, but he also knew when I didn't want his company. As of late, his presence had been desired less and less by me.
Thinking back to Shin-ah, I wondered if he had been a reason for what made me pull away from my retainer back then…
"AH!"
I scrambled over to Yoon who was sitting on the ground.
"What happened?" I asked, worry dripping from my voice.
We had stopped our short hunting trip when Zeno suddenly told me that we should return. Coming back here with the camp in disarray and only Yoon present made my confusion turn into fright.
"Where is everyone?"
Yoon shook his head and put his palms to the sides of his face. "They all disappeared!"
Zeno froze and I knit my brows, not understanding.
"What do you mean? Yoon, what happened?"
"I don't know," he said as he stood up. "Shin-ah came back a rebel and chopped and sliced and the Thunderbeast and Jae-ha helped but Kija went down and just—!"
Zeno placed a hand on Yoon's shoulder as comfort.
"Please, slow down."
I nodded. "Yes, it's okay Yoon. Tell us again what happened. Step by step."
He sighed and nodded. Recalling the events, he began to tell us what had happened.
"Shin-ah had been acting strangely…"
The three of us went into the woods and followed a trail hoping to come across our missing comrades.
"I'm sorry, this is just so strange of him to do something like that…"
"Zeno knows, Yoon. If only I had been there to help."
"Ah!"
The two stopped and looked at me as I went to a tree and knelt down among the fallen leaves.
"Ao?!"
"Oh no, is she okay? She's not moving…"
Something catching his attention near Ao's tiny form caused Zeno to suck in a breath. He moved dead leaves away with the tip of his shoe to uncover the white object. An aged, cracked mask laid on the forest floor, discarded. He kneeled down and picked it up. Yoon saw this and swallowed thickly.
"Shin-ah's mask…"
"Ao..."
Hearing me, Yoon turned away from the mask and made a serious face. "Just a moment—Pukyuu! Lunch!"
Ao shot upright in my hand and squeaked eagerly. Tears of joy sprang to my eyes and I thanked Yoon for his miraculous healing meal call. Zeno stood up with Shin-ah's abandoned mask and looked down the path.
"Yona, Zeno thinks we should continue on."
"Right," I agreed. "Ao? Do you know where Shin-ah is?"
Another high squeak and the pudgy squirrel leapt from my palms and ran ahead of us. We followed close behind and jogged briskly deeper into the thick forest. When we heard Ao stop and coo, we looked at where she had led us.
"A statue?"
"A dragon statue."
Yoon leaned over and peered down the passage way that led down into the ground in front of the beheaded statue.
"Hmm… suspicious. Should we go down— Zeno!"
"Yes?" he asked in a sing-song voice.
"Don't just go in! We need to make sure that we have all that we— YONA."
"Hm?"
Yoon sighed dramatically at the sight of Zeno almost all the way inside and myself right behind him. The yellow dragon blinked owlishly before continuing his way down the stairs. I watched Yoon turn to his pack and rummage as he walked slowly in our direction, taking count aloud what he had with him. I stepped downward and went after Zeno when a creak and groan of stone halted my movements.
Looking around, I stopped and blinked away the dust that filtered across my eyes. Realizing what was going on, I looked up to confirm with my own eyes and saw that the entrance was indeed closing. Yoon barely saw my face before the statue's platform slid closed.
"Yoon!"
The darkness was immense until a torch flickered to life. Zeno's rare concerned expression was illuminated by the growing light that he held. We mutually agreed in silence to continue on. He led the way and kept close to me as we made our way further in the underground tunnel.
"There should be an exit somewhere in here."
"Zeno thinks so too. So we will find our friends and leave, yes?" he turned his head to look at me confidently and I smiled back.
Suddenly, my vision swam and blurred. Groaning, I placed a hand to my forehead, feeling it ache. Zeno caught me as I fell to my knees and held me in his arms, calling out my name when I succumbed to the darkness.
Where… where am I?
I opened my eyes to find myself in a milky black expanse. I felt no terror though, being alone in this strange place. The only emotion I felt was a warming calm that seemed to soothe my soul.
"Yona," a quiet voice coaxed me from behind.
It was Shin-ah.
"Shin-ah!" I gasped, my voice sounding floaty against the dark. Going to him, I placed my palms against his chest and smiled. "Thank goodness! We were looking for you."
"Yona…"
My hands stilled their fretful actions on his coat and I peered into his beautiful, beautiful eyes.
"Get out of here. Don't come to me... It's not safe."
I stared at him in confusion. "Shin-ah?"
"Souls that bear strong grudges are targeting everyone," he told me. "Right now, I can't control my body. I—"
His eyes widened and fear showed clearly even in this abyss. Gold sparkled in horror.
"I used my power on them…"
Regret.
"Shin-ah… What on earth is holding you down? What's doing this?"
A pause and the blue dragon exhaled softly. "Seiryuu. From long ago…"
"Seiryuu…" I whispered under my breath. From long ago?
"That person's heart was conveyed to me," Shin-ah began to tell me. "There was a Seiryuu village here a long time ago. One day, it was suddenly attacked by bandits… The villagers— they took the infant Seiryuu and escaped."
I kept my face even as I listened, though a clench in my chest started to rend my heart.
"Before they left though, to ensure that the bandits wouldn't follow and massacre those remaining, they trapped the bandits underground by using the elder Seiryuu as a decoy."
I bit my lip.
"The predecessor fought with the bandits and got hurt, so he wasn't able to leave this place. He's the one inside my body right now."
"Are you telling me his story, Shin-ah, because you're worried about everyone's situation?"
He said nothing and didn't make eye contact.
"Alright, clear the way. You're the one who put me to sleep and brought me here, correct?"
"You can't," he said firmly. "You'll get hurt."
A small laugh left my mouth and I cocked my head to the side. "Shin-ah, I'll come for you. As many times as it takes and no matter what danger."
I watched his golden irises mist over with tears and glint in our bright darkness. Reaching up, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and hugged him close. Startled, he didn't move and was tense in my hold.
"It's okay. No matter what you do, my heart will remain unshaken."
His back relaxed and he returned my hug.
"I just want to protect you."
"And I want to protect you," I whispered. "Come on. Let's get out of here together, Shin-ah…"
It was still dark.
Am I back? Or am I still in the dream…? No, no, this is a different darkness.
"Zeno?"
My voice! I am awake! I thought when I heard the solid echo.
"Zeno? Where are you?"
A hand went to the top of my head. Reassured that he was here, I calmed down and looked at the gray silhouette of the eternal teenager.
"You're awake."
The mature voice told me more than enough. He had been very worried.
It must have been a while. The torch is out.
"I didn't move you and waited for you to regain consciousness. Are you alright?"
I nodded, even though I was sure he couldn't see me. "Yes, I'm fine. Actually, I saw Shin-ah."
"You did?"
His surprise was warranted and I continued.
"Uh-huh. He's fine right now, but we need to find him soon. He's being possessed!"
I could feel the tension roll off of him before he even grabbed my hand. Zeno liked Shin-ah and treated him like a little brother, just like Kija did. I knew he was angry.
"Ao? Can you find Shin-ah for us?" he asked the tiny squirrel.
She poked her way from out of my hair and clambered down from my shoulder. Pattering across the packed earthen floor, Ao again led the way for us by tracking her friend's scent. Zeno led me, in turn, by my hand and carefully guided me through the chilly maze.
Shin-ah, without a fail, we will find you. Let's leave together.
"Here?"
Zeno grunted and placed his hand on the smooth wall. "Behind here, I can feel them all. Though, how to get to our dear friends… Ah!"
The blonde picked up a discarded rusty sword and raised it high. With a quick and heavy swing, he sliced down on his arm and ripped through bone and tendons. I grimaced, but had an inkling on what he was about to do. Sure enough, Zeno's body began to heal and the skin grew taut and hard. Scales appeared and the Ouryuu's power crackled to life. He made a fist and without hesitation, punched through the wall breaking through in a single blow.
"Zeno?" Kija's strained voice called.
The room was lit by dim candlelight, enough to where we could see the three men laying tied up on the floor. I knew though, that they had been subdued rather forcefully.
He had used his power on them…
"Hakuryuu, Ryokuryuu! Are you alright?"
A groan from Jae-ha was his answer and Kija tsked. "Zeno, look out for Shin-ah! He's not himself!"
"I know," he told them monotonous. "Yona, please, stay here."
His low whisper was meant to be followed without question, but instead, I walked around him and stood in front of the short man.
"Princess…" Hak's tired voice couldn't hide his desperation.
I knew he was extremely against me getting in harm's way, but I didn't care. The old Seiryuu had taken control of Shin-ah and hurt my friends. He would not be allowed to harm anyone else. If he wanted to, he had to go through me first.
"Shin-ah."
The frowning Seiryuu who had stayed silent in front of my captured friends, jerked at the sound of a name directed to him. I stepped closer to him and he quaked, stepping backward himself. The eyes I had come to love looked on at me in terror. Confusion. Wonder.
"What's wrong?" I asked. "Why try and escape?"
His back was almost to the opposite wall of the room when the wide golden eyes began to cry. "I don't… I don't know… What— what are you?"
"I'm human. Just a normal person," I confessed to him. "Unlike them, I won't be able to stand up against you if you used your powers on me or decided to possess me."
"Yona, no!"
"Get away from him, he's dangerous!"
"Princess Yona, get out of here now!"
I ignored their pleas and walked closer and closer to him. Shin-ah's body was rigid. Seiryuu would not look at me in the eye.
"Why?" he asked suddenly, piquing my attention. "Why are my legs shaking? My tears won't stop. Is this fear?"
I stood an arm's length from him and he choked back a sob.
"But my heart… it's calm. This is unlike anything that I have ever experienced…"
Like in the dream, I reached up and hugged Shin-ah close to me. His stiff shoulders sank and he relaxed instantly. The tears didn't stop and he wept into my hair. Zeno crept to the captured men and began untying them as I tamed the wayward spirit. The cries wracked his body and he told me why he took over his successor's body.
"I had waited, and waited. I knew they wouldn't come back, but I still waited. I died for them and they didn't care! Why did I stay here then? If not for them?"
I rubbed my hand in soothing motions across his back. The village for the Seiryuu would always find a way to betray their faithful dragon. Pity for this man enveloped in my chest and I couldn't help but want to free him of this pain.
"Shin-ah is so kind," I told the weeping man. "He let you in, and even when he discovered your intentions, he let you stay. Seiryuu. Your people helped make this kind person. Do you forgive them?"
He sighed as I slowed my rubbing on his back. A curt nod was all he would say on the matter, but it still was enough to cause me to sadly smile.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered into my crimson locks. "I guess my wait was never for them. It was for you."
The soft confession stopped my hands and I gave him a squeeze. "Then will you depart from Shin-ah? I need him back."
Strong arms went around me and hugged me solemnly. "I will, as he needs you too."
I thought I heard him say 'Thank you Hiryuu', but I couldn't say anything as Shin-ah's body sank onto me and then stand up straight. I kept my hands on his chest and looked into his deep eyes. The change had been immediate. No longer did the gold look as if swallowed by despair and sorrow, but now they gazed upon me innocently, new, and with the same familiar shine that I always wanted to see from the blue dragon.
"Shin-ah?"
He blinked and continued to stare. This rare moment of contact without a barrier made my heart flutter and soar. I inched ever so closer and arched my head back to see him more clearly.
This beautiful person has caught me in his gaze. I am a prisoner, but never want to escape.
The moment was lost when Kija loudly called out to Shin-ah and we shyly broke away from each other. Zeno tossed the ropes that had been binding the dragons and Hak away and helped Jae-ha to his feet. Hak stood up and looked me over with a critical eye, but softened his studious gaze when he met my eyes. He turned his head away.
Kija went to us and placed his hands on Shin-ah's shoulders. "Brother, are you alright?"
Shin-ah meekly nodded and looked at the floor. "I'm sorry, about all that."
"No! Do not be!"
"Eh, sorry doesn't cut it," Jae-ha quipped with a smirk.
"Jae-ha!" Kija yelled.
"I might be forgiving though," he went on, "if you let me see your face like this more."
Shin-ah covered his face quickly and moved around to see if he could spot his mask laying anywhere.
"Zeno saw your mask outside, Seiryuu. Mother Yoon has it."
Hak shook his head at that and Kija questioned where Yoon was. Jae-ha chuckled and stood up off of Zeno as the shorter began to relay how we all got split up. I looked back up to Shin-ah.
"Do you still need it?"
He shook his head 'no'. "It's a memento. I feel at ease wearing it."
"I see."
With everything in order, the next step was to find our way outside and get to Yoon. I knew he was probably worried sick after all this time and we all needed to return above ground.
"Shall we leave?" I asked everyone.
At that moment, the candles that had been lighting the room went out and swallowed us in darkness once again.
"Uh-oh, there go the candles…"
"Mm, the torch Zeno had is no good either."
Jae-ha sighed. "I guess we can all die happily together then?"
"I refuse to die in a cave, idiot," Hak snorted.
"It's okay," Shin-ah announced. He took my hand gently. "I can see."
It was the middle of the night when we all reached the camp. Soon after leaving the underground room, we came across Yoon who led us the rest of the way out. Everyone was exhausted after walking out of the Seiryuu maze and once Yoon made sure everyone had eaten, we were promptly ordered to bed. Fatigue captured everyone in a deep slumber. Everyone, but me.
I stood up from my sleeping pallet and walked away from the tree line to the small open field close by. The moonlight shined bright. The contrast from the hours underground was welcomed greatly and I began to think back on how similar the Seiryuu, Shin-ah and I all were. Being in deep thought, I didn't hear the quiet footsteps come behind me, but I wasn't surprised when I heard his voice.
"Yona."
I turned around, just as he took off his mask.
"Shin-ah… You should be sleeping. It's been a long day for you," I told him as he came closer to me.
An arm's length away was our unspoken rule for distance. We had broken it twice in one day though. Did this mean we could get closer and closer still? He paused when he came to edge of our two step gap. I met his golden gaze with conviction though, so he took one more calculated step forward. He had me captured again.
"Shin-ah?"
"Why did you give me that name?"
His swift interjected question caught me off guard. "You know why. I told you."
"Not the meaning. The reason."
I stopped to think. The reason? Words formed on my lips and I let them come forth on their own, not stopping my true feelings as they poured out.
"Because you are the light that shines in my darkness."
He shook his head. "You couldn't have known that back then."
"But I did. You know, Shin-ah? Your eyes, I really like them." He blushed and I went on. "I'm glad that you've begun to like them too, because I always have. Not just for themselves, but because they're a part of you."
He said nothing and I smiled.
"I really like you Shin-ah."
In a swift movement, he had me gathered up in a hug. I returned it and leaned into his hold with a quiet sigh. Under the moonlight, there we stood embracing each other. The red and blue dragons, together.
"Yona... You are much brighter than me. My days are a new moon's night continuously without your presence."
I blushed at his poetic words and became heated in this comfortable caress.
"You sought me out and said I was your moon, but Yona— you're more."
I pulled away, still in his grasp and wondered what he meant. He saw the curiosity directed to him and a rare smile graced his lips. I gasped softly at the sight and couldn't turn away even if I wanted to.
"You are the sun."
[A/N: So this an alternate 106-108. What prompted this was "what if Yona started falling in love with Shin-ah more so after chpater 51?" That's how this came to be. This is a two part story, though it could be ended as a one-shot. The next chapter is smut, so even though this is K+, the next is M and makes the whole story M. Hope you all liked this and enjoyed reading. Addio]