Hey guys,

Don't worry, I'm not abandoning 'Emotions? What Are Those' just taking a quick break to get this idea out of my head. I was struggling a bit with the next chapter because it's the most important one, so I figured if I could get this story out of my system in the interim, that would be best!

So this is my new story, about Shin-Ah from Akatsuki no Yona. It was inspired by 'Heart of the Blue Dragon' by LenaSakamaki which I thoroughly fell in love with! Seriously, I hope she updates it soon 'cause I need to know what happens! This will follow my own OC named Aina in a slight AU before Shin-Ah meets the rest of the gang.

Please Enjoy!

***P.S. I have re-uploaded a newer version of this story, so to any returning readers there have been a few slight changes that have been made to accommodate my story better. For instance, Shin-ah's name. It will appear later on in the story as it felt a little too rushed with the way I originally wrote it. I hope you guys enjoy my alterations, happy reading!***

*Disclaimer*

I do not own Akatsuki no Yona and am just borrowing the characters for my own amusement

Also, this story will deal with a lot of dark subject matter and I just want to warn anyone reading that there will be mention of human trafficking, rape, and other harsh topics. So please heed my warning!

Chapter 1

There were not many things I could remember beyond my arrival here some years ago. Besides glimpses of cloth, iron bars, tight rooms and too many faces that melted together into one terrifyingly vague monster. Though I do remember water. Lot's of crashing waves and roaring sea. Rain. But that felt like eons ago.

My life now, well it could be summed up into three different feelings; Numbness, brokenness and solitude.

And presently; cold. Lots and lots of blistering cold.

I was bound, my wrists clasped at my lower back with irritating rope. I wasn't panicking. No, I wouldn't do that. I'd learned early on during these voyages that struggling only resulted in pain, shouting and more pain. The other females I'd encountered didn't seem to understand this though, as they fought like hell to be freed and escape from this caravan. Why were they fighting so hard?

I suppose they had hope, hope for a better place; or maybe they had that better place before being here. I couldn't relate to those feelings. I had been passed along to more people than I could count. Used for one purpose or another until I ceased being a tool and quickly became a burden, a nuisance. But before I could let my thoughts consume me, a rogue heel was shoved violently into my gut. I sputtered a cough as the air forcefully left my body, my knees rose to meet my chest, assuming the fetal position so as to avoid any further injury.

"Let me out of here you mongrels! Someone, help me, please!" the desperate plea was met with silence, the clopping of the horses hooves and the jostling of the wagon as we bounded along some path to some place. I wheezed in attempts to gain the oxygen back into my lungs, coughing to relieve some of the discomfort. "Shut the fuck up, wench!" came the coarse reply.

I wasn't much concerned with the destination. My biggest concern was that this transaction didn't seem to be like the others. Usually I was simply carted off to the next family who needed a hand to be had around the house or out in the fields. I was a laborer of sorts I suppose, though I knew deep down that I was a slave. There was no freedom of choice in this life.

This time though, there was mention of me being of age now. I knew that I was around sixteen years old and had had my first bleeding roughly six months prior to this trip. That signified womanhood, or so I was told. At the time I wasn't quite aware of what that meant. It had been a big deal to the people in charge of me at the time, but I had just been afraid of dying before an older, frail looking woman soothed my worries away. She was kind…I only wished I could remember her face.

Unfortunately, I wasn't appeased for long. With this new development came others. The blossoming of my chest and curves appearing where previously none showed. This caused a bustling of excitement, murmurings of big sums and large profit, they made mentions of how my beauty would sell for a high price. I didn't like the abundance of attention, it was beat into my nature to maintain a low profile. Always blending in, a whispering ghost that never stood out so to speak.

I liked it that way; that made things safe.

So you could imagine how this was very displeasing to hear. Change resulted in more change; another thing I wasn't fond of. As I came to learn, womanhood resulted in a different type of use I was to be sold for, I had heard the other girls whispering about it in my last holding place. I knew of the sins of the flesh now, how some of the captives were sold for their beauty and the uses that their body could provide men. The idea was so foreign and while I knew enough, the notion was still very vague. Some of the women were compliant, even earning some shares of the profit for their willingness.

Though, others were not so willing.

I tended not to see those certain females after they left, I also didn't assume that they had escaped either. I was naive to some things I suppose, but I knew there was no escape from this other than death.

I would be bought and sold for the rest of my life. It was all I had known for as long as I could remember anyhow. I was accustomed to this life, obedience had been instilled in me since childhood, which thankfully resulted in a less violent upbringing. If there was one thing I could be thankful for, it would be that. Sad, isn't it?

Suddenly our motions ceased, the abrupt halt causing me to roll over uncomfortably onto my front. My face forced into the rough splintering wood and sparse stray pieces of hay poked into the side of my cheek. Ouch. My violent companion next to me seemed to have her bearings a little better than I, she was sat upright. While she had her knees bent and feet firmly planted so she didn't sway with the forward momentum. I wished I had thought of that.

Before I could do anything about my predicament, the tarp shrouding us in darkness was ripped away, leaving us exposed to the harsh rays of the sun. I squinted my eyes and angled my face further into the planks beneath me to escape the intense light descending upon us, trying to ignore the harsh poking on the side of my face. I wasn't left to suffer long. All at once I was grabbed by my ropes and hauled to a standing position beside the man who was piloting the wagon.

"All right, runt, this is your stop," he forced out gruffly. He was behind me, ridding me of the uncomfortable restraints that kept my arms in place. And then blissfully, I had full use of my arms at last. I stretched them out gingerly, testing the stiffness they may have acquired during the long venture. I inwardly let out a sigh of relief, unwilling to express my previous discomfort to the man, let alone any form of expression. Stoic is safe. Blank is best.

Words to live by.

He didn't waste time eyeing me as he did the other woman, he knew that I wouldn't run. Just as I finished stretching the last of my muscles, his large hand came down on my shoulder, urging me forward to what I now noticed was the mouth of some cave. He ushers me along side him, my eyes eagerly taking in the snowy mountainside, wind whipping the long strands of my platinum hair. After a few stumbling steps, I finally regain my ability to walk and we quickly strode into an open area within the cave. There are wooden beams, seemingly offering support to the manmade tunnel we trekked through. It wasn't terribly long, I didn't have enough time to fully take in the details of the place itself before I was startled by movement on all sides.

Suddenly we are smothered by people in masks, whispering and completely focused on me as they create a semi-circle around us.

My nerves are settling in my bones, and it's only now that the reality of the situation is dawning on me. These people are buying me, and they are nothing like the people I've been with before them. I cower slightly behind my seller, knowing full well he will offer no support or protection, but his body does a good job of physically hiding me from the strangers' gaze.

Stay calm and collected. Don't show fear, I chide to myself.

"This is the girl, where's the payment." He shoves me out from my hiding place behind him and sticks his hand out sharply as if perturbed by the fact that he even had to ask for the coins. I try my best to keep the grimace from painting across my face as I'm left defenseless to their scrutiny. One of the large group staggers forward, a large sack is then thrust out into his awaiting palm, the metal pieces clanging together beneath the material and he barely even spares me a glance before tossing me to the wolves. Figuratively, maybe.

I try to make eye contact but not being able to see any of their faces is making me kind of queasy and unnerved, so I stick to keeping my stare trained on the ground. Probably for the best. The one closest to me, who had payed the man, steps closer making my breath hitch in my throat. I still, my body freezing, wondering how things will progress from here. Is he going to hit me?

A hand juts out, my body automatically flinching before it grasps onto my chin, forcing my face up. I gasp at the unexpected contact, jarred at the uncivilized actions of these people. They haven't spoken a single word, not even to give me an order. I hear the alarm bells going off in my head, my instincts warning me of the stark contrast of this situation compared to all the rest. I need to be wary.

Twisting my head from side to side, the person observes me for a few moments, and all I can do is stare back into the shadowed eyes of their mask. Who knew wearing a mask could make a person appear so soulless and cold? They take in the pale blonde locks that fall into my face, straying from the rest that is gathered at the back of my head before flowing gently to my butt. The ethereal muted blue eyes that nearly appeared silver, I knew that I was somewhat of an anomaly in these lands. It was nearly unheard of to have such a pale likeness, some thought me to be a ghost. If only that were true…

I take this brief moment myself to take in the person before me, they have similar garb to what I've seen others wearing across the nations. Though the dark colors and draping fabric did little to allude to the gender of the person. As I took a quick glance I noticed I couldn't really tell any of them apart from one another.

They were so, similar.

It instilled a wariness in me, the alien quality of these people, there was no individuality amongst them.

There is a slight hum that comes from their chest, which draws my attention back to my holder, a noise of approval maybe? I can only hope, because if I am at all displeasing to them, my fate rests solely in their hands. Whatever the case, the brusque noise indicates that the person before me is a man. He drops my face at last, before shoving a mask into my chest. I grasp it between my fingers, using the back of my hand to gently rub the spot that he assaulted. It's sure to bruise. I study the object held in my palms, noting it appears to be made of wood, or some other smooth, light material. It is well carved, resembling that of an animal's skull somewhat. How interesting…

"You are to put on this mask and make your way down a series of tunnels. You will be our offering to him." His voice is brisk as it draws my attention back to him. And it takes me a moment to get over the fact that the man even spoke, before his seem words register.

Offering? What could that possibly mean…

"I don't—" before I can even finish my question, the man abruptly turns on his heel and stalks away, parting the crowd easily with his presence.

"No questions, do as you're told, girl."

He's gone before I can even make any sound of consent, and then I'm being flanked on either side by two other people in the crowd. I'm in somewhat of shock, glancing rapidly between the two newer arrivals as I try to gather the situation at hand. Their fingers curl onto my elbows like a tight vice, towing me forward in the same direction that the man left in. Where are they taking me?

As I am being led, I make note of the many archways and different areas within this cave, it's like a labyrinth. Some openings closed off with draping cloths, others open and lit dimly with torches. Though one thing that strikes me as strange, there is no signs of a home. It's as if this place were completely uninhabited. Where do these people sleep? If I wasn't already introduced to the group that resided here, I may have thought this place was rightfully abandoned. As we venture further though, the vague light dissipates into nothing, setting my nerves even further on edge. Before long I can only barely make out a very dark hole in the wall of endless rock, leading down into an abyss of black nothingness. Dread sets in deep within my bones.

This doesn't look good.

I'm frightened now. Not knowing what exactly it is I am here for, my body's instincts are prickling at my skin, telling me of the danger I'm suddenly in. What does it mean to be an offering? The panic is seeping in, my limbs reacting to fight or flight mode. But before I can pick one, my heels dig into the dirt of the ground to prevent my fall as I'm shoved forward by my handlers. My sense of balance is thrown off kilter and next thing I know is I'm crashing to the dirt on my hands a knees. The mask clatters to the floor beside me. So much for saving my self from the fall…

I let out a quiet hiss as I register the feeling of a rock that scraped against my palm upon impact. Ow.

As I attempt to gather my wits, I hear a loud rumbling at my back, more panic flushing my body as I whip my head behind me. A giant boulder is being pushed to seal my only escape route, my limbs scramble to get underneath me and I nearly hurl myself at the large rock just as it is set into place.

And then I'm drowning in the darkness.

"Put on the mask!" comes the rough voice on the other side of the stone, I barely catch the words before I glance at the area I know the mask tumbled to beside my feet. I bend down, feeling somewhat aimlessly in the darkness for it before finally grasping the thing and turning it over in my palms. I sheath my face with the foreign material, taking the delicate silk strands at the sides and tying them snuggly at the back of my blonde tresses, the movement causing the beads braided into my hair to clank against the side of the mask. I wonder for a moment why I bothered to listen. But then I think back on how that is the only thing these people made a point to tell me. There has to be a reason for that.

Once I'm masked and my crystalline eyes are disguised along with the upper half of my face, I set forth to explore further into the cave. It's my only option, and the more I think about it, the more I'm not sure if I really mind walking to my death. My will for life is purely instinctual at this point as I find it hard to name anything actually worth living for. How pitiful.

Being blind, is quite a foreign sensation. I've of course been blindfolded before, having my sight taken away wasn't such a shock. But the idea of forging on sightless was a different feeling entirely.

My feet are hesitant, touch fueling my steps as I feel around for the ground and let them lead me forward. My hands glided roughly against the wall nearest to my right. The abrasive feeling was irritating, but necessary for me to get my bearings. A jingling sound captures my interest, my ears quickly latching onto the minuscule sound amongst the heavy silence. It sounds a bit far off, but the sound echos through the cavernous area so there's no way for me to solidly pinpoint where it's coming from. I pause my journey, considering my options, which are quite limited. I can either keep walking blindly or I can wait and see what befalls me where I stand.

I chose the former as I have never had the patience for waiting.

I make it a ways, straight or turning, I can't much tell my direction. When suddenly there is something snaking up the inside of my leg, it makes its way under my cloak and I let out a small yelp of surprise at the intruder. W-what is this…Feeling it scurrying underneath the skirt of my dress as it careens itself on my skin under my bust before making its way up to my neck. The soft fur of a tail lends itself to be known as a squirrel, as does the happy chittering in my ear as the creature nuzzles itself against my cheek. I'm curious as to why I'm not more opposed to the small animal's affections, but quickly dispel that thought and welcome my new companion. It's nice to not feel so alone right now.

Though I'm truly not alone anymore I realize, the jingling from earlier is directly before me now. It makes me doubly aware of the presence standing toe to toe with me. I feel the breath of the person disturbing the wispy hairs that lay against my forehead, I look up through the mask on my face only to be met with the heavy gaze of another mask. My sight is vague but I can see this one is slightly more intimidating looking than the others, with the horns adorned on either side. It's strange, I can't see eyes but it's as if a weight has been anchored to this person's stare. Whereas I got a soulless feeling from the other masked people acting more as a void, this one is burning with intensity, not allowing its presence to be ignored. I swallow quietly, or try to, it turns out to be more of an audible gulp unfortunately.

My eyes strain to take in more details of the man before me, the gender of them glaringly obvious with their intimidating posture and hulking stature over me. I crane my neck a bit more, catching the stray locks of blue hair, underneath a fur pelt covering the strangers head. His jaw is taut and angular, his lips curling into a slight frown beneath the edge of the mask. It's a lean but tall man I gather, as I inspect the rest of him at his place in front of me. Where did he come from?

His clothes appear to be those of a warrior, differing a bit from the rest of the people within this mountain surprisingly. A warm looking cloak resting over loosely flowing fabric, his forearms wrapped before tapering into gloves. I notice one of his gloved hands reaching to his back, but disappearing beyond what little my eyes can make out in the dark shadows.

My eyes may be adjusting slightly, but it's a slow process. However, I don't miss when the man abruptly leans into my face, snatching the breath from my lungs at his close proximity. I feel like I should be beyond scared of this male, and yet I am only slightly wary. I haven't ever had someone so close to me before, but his presence doesn't feel hostile, only curious. Wow, I can feel his breath on my cheeks…What a strange feeling. I feel my heartbeat pick up it's pace beneath my chest.

"Hello," I begin meekly, not sure how to address this man or what it is that I should even say. I think my words must startle him, because he quickly creates space between our bodies, almost jumping away from me as if he didn't think I was real. He's cloaked in shadow now and I urge my eyes to see more into the darkness so I can make out his figure.

"Uh…" I begin, before being cut off by the swift attachment of his warm palm to my own. Eh? His hand completely encasing my tiny one, rough fingers brushing the delicate skin of my knuckles before he starts pulling me in the direction that I came from. Where is he taking me? I follow after him, not having much of an option as he guides my body along with his. I'm soon met with the somewhat familiar rock that the sealed entrance. I am surprised he walked so sure footed, before realizing he must live in this darkness. This leads me to the conclusion that he must be the one I was trapped in here for. This man…

I'm broken from my realization as he gestures to the blocked opening. I am confused, before I deduce that he wants me to leave the way I came. I can't help but think how absurd it is that I would rather be here with this strange man rather than those intimidating villagers. I shake my head at him is silent answer before elaborating.

"I'm supposed to be here," I offer simply, before continuing when I'm met with silence, "I am yours." He must not have known of the purchase the people made on his behalf. It dawns on me very quickly and all at once that I am here to please this man as a woman, not just as a servant as I would in the past. My breathing picks up an erratic pace matching that of my heart as my imagination takes off on its own tangent, imagining all the things this man will do to my untouched body.

"Mine?" the quiet voice disturbs my mind's reeling thoughts almost immediately as I register his confusion. I'm confused myself, unsure of why this man doesn't realize why it is that I am here. Could it be that he doesn't know what that means?

"Yes, I'm Aina and I belong to you now, you may do whatever you please to me." I bow a bit, as I was told I should do in the presence of any master, but also to hide my unease at the situation. I could have lied, but I'm not sure that would have changed the situation from what it already was.

I was at this man's mercy.