Chapter 2: Brother Hakuryuu
The clinking sounds of the chains attached to the bracelets on the child's arm and dragon leg was the only sound between Zeno and the boy. His breathing was light as he laid asleep on Zeno's back. The soft breath tickling the hairs on his neck, causing the once lonely Ouryuu to smile as he continued to walk. He had run for nearly an hour or two perhaps, before he was certain nobody was chasing them. He had yet to ask the child what his name was. Oh well. He thought as he felt the continued breathing of the boy against his neck and back. I'll ask when morning comes. He paused in his steps. But where should I take him? Seiryuu's village is too far away. Hakuyuu's village is closer, but the last time I was there they attacked me. He looked up at the cloud covered moon. He then felt the boy shiver slightly and sighed. I can't raise him by myself. I'll need help. Plus I did promise Guen to visit his village. Perhaps they'll be more welcoming. He moved his feet towards the fertile valley of the fire tribe hoping that this time he'd be welcomed by his brother's tribe.
Zeno hated foggy mountains, he really did. He always lost all sense of direction when getting caught up in some fog. Hakuyuu lives up here. He thought before he noticed that his next brother's signal was weak, almost as if he was sensing a predecessor instead of the next generation. But if it is a predecessor than why don't I sense the next one? He wondered as he continued walking.
His legs hurt from moving all night long. His arms ached from holding the boy on his back all throughout his journey here. They had crossed a couple rivers and several fields in the lower valley's. His legs shook with every step, but Zeno pushed onward.
Now as morning dawned and the early light cast away the shadows of night, the warmth from the sun hit the cool ground causing the fog to rise. The fog lifted high in the sky causing Zeno to pause in his steps. Wearily looking skyward he saw that the fog settled just below the tree branches. His blonde hair fell against his face as the clinking of the pendant on his head caught his attention for a moment. Taking a deep breath he pushed the boy up against his back a little more and was about to continue their journey up the mountain when he heard a moan from the boy.
"Lad, are you okay?" He asked causing the boy to stiffen for a moment before he calmed down.
"Uh-huh." He answered softly. His green eyes peering at the foggy area as he continued to lay against Zeno. "It...It smells nice here." He said in observation.
Zeno took a deep breath before letting it go. He was right, it did smell nice here. "Zeno agrees with Lad." He stated before walking once more.
"Jae-ha." The boy stated gaining silence from Zeno. "It's my name." He said softly against Zeno's back.
"How old is brother Jae-ha?" Zeno asked, wanting to know more about his little brother.
"Five." Jae-ha mumbled softly as he settle against Zeno's back. " 'm tired." He said as he closed his eyes.
"Sleep. We're not to our destination yet." Zeno stated as he began a steep climb and came to rest against a large tree. Zeno is tired. He thought taking deep breaths. He was about to continue once more when an arrow fell from the sky in front of him.
"Go back!" yelled a deep voice. "There is nothing here for travelers like yourself!"
"This mountain is sacred!" yelled another voice.
Sacred? Zeno wanted to laugh at that notion. It was ridiculous. "Zeno was hoping to find his brother's village here!" He yelled causing Jae-ha to lift his head slightly.
"No village here!" Lied the voice.
"Zeno knows that is a lie!" He yelled. "Ouryuu has been here before! He knows Hakuyuu is here!" A series of gasps were heard. "Ouryuu needs help from brother Hakuyuu with little brother Ryokuyuu!"
The fog began to dissipate revealing several dozen men in the trees above and in front of him. "Lord Ouryuu!" yelled a young man with sand colored hair before he and others around began to bow low to the ground. "We welcome you."
"Oi, big brother, who are these people." Jae-ha asked as he peered over Zeno's shoulder, his green hair and eyes causing the people around them to gasp lightly.
"Lord Ryokuyuu!" another light colored haired man said.
"Forgive us! We did not know it was you!" cried a younger male.
"Lord..." Jae-ha began as his eyes widened in shock. "Ryokuyuu?" He finished with a questioning tone before looking at Zeno. "Big brother?"
Zeno laughed lightly. "It's been a long time since Zeno has been call that." He said as he watched the men approach him.
"Allow us to escort you to Hakuyuu village." He stated before he suddenly noticed the chains on the young boy's arm and dragon leg. "We'll also ensure those," he pointed at the chains. "are taken off immediately."
"Thanks." Zeno said with a deep sigh before he felt somebody take Jae-ha for him.
"Zeno!" The boy cried out in fright.
Zeno took the boy's hand. "It's okay. You won't be hurt." He said softly trying to relieve the boy's fears.
Jae-ha's eyes never left Zeno's form. Zeno finally realized that he was the first person Jae-ha had ever trusted and knew that this was a great honor. "Don't worry." He said as he began to feel his tiredness catching up to him. "They won't hurt us." His eyes began to droop slightly, as he stumbled he felt somebody grab him and wrap an arm around him.
"Lord Ouryuu, are you okay?" The gentle voice asked him.
"Zeno walked all night." He explained. "Very...tired." He mumbled, as his body began to feel very heavy; especially his eyelids.
"We're almost there." The gentle voice stated causing Zeno to smile.
After they arrived the two were brought to a small circular two story hut with a bright yellow door and red markings on it. Zeno saw the futon that was on a raised platform. He practically fell into the soft futon mattress face first. He snuggled against the bedding and sighed. He then felt a tiny body lay down next to his. Opening an eye he spotted Jae-ha laying on the bed with a soft smile on his face.
"Thank-you brother Zeno for bringing me here." He said softly before he began to fall back to sleep.
How could I ignore you when I saw you there? He thought mournfully. You were hurt and in need of my help. I would've been dishonoring Shuten's memory had I left you there to be continually abused. He thought sadly as he touched Jae-ha's bruised cheek. A tear escaped his eyes. I could never do that. What kind of brother would I have been had I? He thought before unconsciousness claimed him.
M-Angel: I'm still playing with this story, writing as I go. I do know how it'll end, I just don't know where the story is gonna take me in the meantime. LoL! ^0^
