I usually wait a few days to a week to post chapters, but someone asked if I was continuing, so I'll share Chapter 2 now.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Akatsuki no Yona.
Chapter 2:
Ju-Won looked at the ground carefully, touching the bloody footprint with a thoughtful expression. He'd heard of sights of an injured boy wandering through the forest lately and anyone who tried to help, the boy immediately ran, frightened of them.
Upon hearing of the boy, who they said was rather small and frail, he'd started tracking him to hopefully find and help him. However, the boy seemed to have a large amount of either stamina or adrenaline and he hadn't been able to find him. The village nearby had said that they stopped seeing him about a week ago and now he was simply looking for a body, because a boy that small would be easy prey and he probably didn't know how to hunt or survive in a forest and he would have starved by now.
He heard movement in the bushes and he carefully drew his dagger, looking at the rustling bushes. He saw a flash of red and then a flash of yellow and he heard soft voices, male from what he could tell. The bushes rustled again and then a hand pushed them to the side to reveal a man with long red hair and a sword in his hand. Behind him was a young boy with blonde hair and bright blue eyes and they were both looking at Ju-Won in suspicion.
Their eyes dropped to the bloody footprint and they came forward, causing him to step back warily, gripping his dagger tightly. The redhead sheathed the sword and bent down, gently tracing the footprint, but not touching it. The blonde came forward, "Did you find something of him, my King?"
"His footprint."
Ju-Won spoke, "Are you looking for the boy too?"
The redhead didn't look up as he answered, "No, we found his body in the river, but there are people that are better off not knowing he is dead. We are erasing his tracks. You are?"
"Ju-Won. The nearby villagers asked for my help to find the boy and see if he was still alive. They wanted to help him."
The redhead lifted up with a sigh, "No, he fell into the river a bit further on and washed downstream, where we found him. We knew him and immediately came looking for proof of what happened. We've almost finished."
"And?"
The redhead looked him in the eye, "One of my men saw the boy's uncle push him from a cliff and fall, but when they tried to help him, he ran. Not fit for the forest, my man came to me. The boy had no memory of what happened according to the few people he actually talked to and we were finding concrete evidence of his uncle's deeds before we went and told the right people."
Ju-Won sighed, "I was too late? I thought so. It's been a week since he was seen."
"Yes, we found him about six days ago in the river. I apologize for your wasted effort."
"I was looking for a body at this point anyway. Who are you and who was he that people shouldn't know?"
"I am Hiryuu. The blonde boy behind me is Zeno, my son. The boy's name was Harry Potter and we were acquaintances."
"Harry Potter?"
"You knew him?"
"I have heard of him before."
Hiryuu nodded, "Understandable. You are a wizard then, or just the family of one?"
"I am one, well, a mage."
"British words are odd indeed, but I've gotten used to saying wizard for Harry."
"That makes sense. You're erasing his tracks?"
"I was."
Ju-Won nodded and erased the bloody footprint, "Alright." He straightened up and cleared his throat, "Ahem, I have heard of the legends of the Red Dragon, the one who founded Japan, and I know his name is Hiryuu."
Hiryuu nodded and looked at him, "Yes, as the legends say."
"Are you named after him?"
"No." But Hiryuu was definitely amused by something.
"Then how did you get your name if you're not named after him?"
"Silly boy. I am him. My name is Hiryuu and behind me is Ouryou. I sense urgency in your voice. Is something the matter?"
"Y-You're the Hiryuu? The Dragon God?"
"Yes, but don't bow. I see you bending. I don't care for formalities."
Ju-Won stopped his bow and then he was silent as he warred with himself. After a minute, he spoke, "King Hiryuu, my child, he is sick and we haven't the money for medicine. Our village is poor. I must admit that one of the richer villagers offered me food and money if I found and helped the boy. My wife stays at home with him and he gets worse as the days pass. Could you please help him? I will give you anything, even my life, if you save my son."
Hiryuu's eyes widened and then he smiled, "You needn't owe me anything. I will help your son. Please lead the way."
Ju-Won's heart lifted, "Truly? Kay-Ta will be alright?"
"Yes, lead the way. Come on Zeno."
"Zeno's coming!"
Ju-Won immediately set off and he heard the redhead and blonde behind him, but he was relieved. Surely Lord Hiryuu could help his son. They walked for about an hour before they reached the village and walked through it until they reached a hut made of wood and Ju-Won stepped inside, "Please follow me."
They nodded and followed him in and he lead them to a small room with a futon in it. A woman was to the side and on the futon was a small boy with brown hair, pale and breathing raggedly. Ju-Won pointed at the boy, "That is Kay-Ta."
"May I?"
"Please."
Hiryuu went forward and knelt next to the boy and Ju-Won went to explain to his wife. Zeno also came over and he gently picked the boy up in his arms as Hiryuu scanned over him with his eyes. A bad flu and if they had no medicine, it could kill the frail boy.
He gently moved his hand to above the boy's heart and then pressed down softly as he closed his eyes, "Hakuryuu, I don't know if you can hear me, but I cannot heal, only destroy. Will you please help me save this boy? I don't need a response, but please help him."
He felt warmth go through his body and he tipped his head back with his eyes closed as it rushed through him, basking in his brother's power, the power he so dearly missed. He felt it in his hand and then it left him and he heard soft gasps of surprise.
Once Hakuryuu's power was gone, he opened his eyes and tilted his head back down with no idea that his eyes were pulsing with power, like a steady heartbeat. The boy was glowing softly with white power, pulsing in time with his eyes as his own energy was transferred into the weakened body.
After a minute, it stopped and his eyes went back to their normal purple as the boy stopped glowing. The boy was looking much better now. His skin was not so pale and milky and his gaunt cheeks had filled out to look healthy. Zeno was looking at him with wide eyes thought, "King Hiryuu, your eyes, they were glowing. How did you do that?"
"I asked my brother for help since fire only destroys and he granted it. The boy?"
"His heartbeat has sped up and his skin is less feverish, almost completely back to normal."
"Good, I am glad." He reached forward and brushed the boy's bangs from his face, "So young and so small, but a fighter."
The boy's eyelids fluttered and then they opened groggily and he slowly focused on Hiryuu's face, or rather, his hair. He reached up dazedly and batted at a lock of red hair, "So pretty. Are you an angel?"
Hiryuu chuckled softly, "I am afraid not, young one. I'm not nearly pretty enough to be an angel. My name is Hiryuu. I'm a dragon instead."
The boy smiled sleepily, "A dragon? That's cool. Did you take the pain away?"
"Yes I did, little one. Are you feeling better?"
"Yes." Hiryuu smiled at the answer and then pulled more than his bangs over his shoulder for the boy to touch because he was still batting at what was there. The boy smiled and took the hair, "So soft."
"Zeno's is softer, I bet."
"Ze...no?"
"Yes."
Zeno smiled, "Zeno's hair is soft if the little mister wants to touch it."
The boy's head turned and he smiled, "Like the sun, so pretty. Are you a dragon too?"
"Zeno is a dragon, like King Hiryuu, yes. Does the little mister want to touch it?"
"Yeah." Zeno nodded and then bent his neck and leaned down and the boy gently grabbed a hand of messy blonde locks, petting it, "So soft and silky."
"Little mister likes Zeno's hair?"
"Yes."
Zeno smiled happily and Ju-Won rushed over, gasping, "Kay-Ta, you've finally woke up. Are you alright, precious?"
Kay-Ta yawned and then smiled as he petted Zeno's hair, "Yeah, the dragons helped. Zeno's hair is so soft."
Ju-Won looked at Hiryuu worriedly, "Why is he so transfixed? Did something go wrong?"
"Not at all. He's just really tired and lethargic and he was easily distracted by the bright colors. He should be fine after he sleeps away the exhaustion the sickness caused."
The boy giggled and they looked over to see Zeno tickling his stomach as he laughed happily and Ju-Won slumped in relief, "He hasn't been this lively in weeks. Thank you."
"It's no problem. Zeno likes kids."
"No, for saving him."
Hiryuu's smile turned soft, "A child is precious and if I could help one, I will. I hope that he is happy."
"You have done so much for me."
"And I didn't mind at all." He turned to Zeno and the boy and looked down at Kay-Ta, "We are going to have to go now, little one, but we live close by if you want us to visit sometimes."
"I would like that, Mr. Dragon."
"It's just Hiryuu and that's Zeno, my son." He smiled and then pulled off the warm cloak he was wearing and laid it over the boy as Zeno laid him back on the bed, "Now you stay warm and comfortable and you can keep this as a gift, little one."
Kay-Ta brought the cloak up to cover his chest, only revealing his neck and head and his small hands that gripped the cloak tightly as he nodded diligently, "Okay. I'll stay warm, Hiryuu."
Zeno patted his head, "Good little mister. Zeno will come visit the little mister with King Hiryuu."
The boy smiled brightly, "Can I touch your hair when you come back?"
"You can pet Zeno's hair whenever you want when Zeno is here. It feels nice."
"Okay."
Zeno and Hiryuu stood and Hiryuu smiled, "We have to go now, little one."
Kay-Ta waved and Ju-Won and his wife bowed their heads as Ju-Won spoke, "Thank you for saving him."
"No problem." He waved one last time at Kay-Ta, then looked at Zeno, "Come on Zeno."
"Zeno is coming!"
OoOoOo
Zeno smiled as he ate his food, completely satisfied at the moment. His precious King Hiryuu sat next to him, eating his own food and humming a soft tune as he did so. Zeno knew the tune was for him and he was happy with that. He had King Hiryuu back and he wasn't alone anymore.
Currently, he was leaning on the redhead's shoulder, gnawing on some bread and smiling in content as he felt the warm body against his own and the faint heartbeat that he could feel from the king. Hiryuu ate another piece of fish and Zeno felt a hand gently brush his hair and pet it absentmindedly. King Hiryuu had always liked his hair for some reason.
Suddenly, he heard choking and Hiryuu jerked and then doubled over with a sharp gasp as he made wheezing breaths. Zeno spun around to see Hiryuu doubled over with his teeth gritted in pain and his hands wrapped around his throat like it was in pain. His eyes widened in horror and he quickly moved and lifted the redhead's head to see nothing wrong.
Hiryuu jerked again and wheezed, still choking and clutching his throat as his lips parted wide and tried to drag in air. Zeno grabbed his shoulders, "What's wrong?! What happened?!"
Hiryuu opened his mouth to perhaps answer, but instead, he just screamed raggedly and threw his head back in pain as he collapsed from the stool backwards and hit the ground, jerking and spasming, his eyes wide in pain and shock.
His entire body spasmed and he choked again, making gagging sounds as blood trickled down his chin from his rapidly paling lips. Black veins started at his throat and spread along his body and his mouth was open, desperately trying to draw air that he couldn't get.
Zeno bent down and picked him up, "No, no, no, King Hiryuu! King Hiryuu! No! What's wrong?! What poison is it?!"
Hiryuu gasped raggedly and managed a mangled word, "Night...shade."
"N-Nightshade? No! You have to stay awake!" Tears dripped down the blonde's face as he sobbed softly, "Please don't leave me alone again."
Hiryuu gasped raggedly and his eyelids fluttered and then closed to cover his purple eyes as he fell limp, his chest heaving as he tried to breathe and his body twitching and jerking in the blonde's arms. He heard rushing feet and then there was a man next to them wearing long blue robes with a staff in his hand.
The man's shoulder was grabbed and yanked back and one of the soldiers of the castle spoke, "Hey! You agreed to this!"
"No! You said you would try to get him to leave! You didn't say you'd poison someone with the most painful poison in the area! Let me go!"
Zeno's eyes widened, "Y-You poisoned him? Why?! What did he ever do to you?!"
The soldier spoke, "We ran this castle and we were going to get the castle eventually for ourselves and then he came along, the owner of the castle and we knew we had to get rid of him! Besides, imagine what fame we'll get for killing the Great Hiryuu!"
"HOW COULD YOU?!"
The man in blue yanked free, "Let me go! I can't watch this!"
The soldier lifted his sword, "Then let's put him out of his misery!"
Zeno jumped in the way as the sword swung down, "No-AGGH!" Blood sprayed across the ground as the sword sliced through his torso and cut a huge slice down to his stomach. His eyes widened in pain and blood sprayed from his mouth as he collapsed to the ground with a soft gurgle of blood in his throat.
The soldier advanced on the spasming and jerking Hiryuu, but a strong grip wrapped around his ankle and yanked him down roughly and he shouted as he fell. He turned to look to see the blonde gripping him tightly, his eyes angry, and he reached for the sword, but the man in blue kicked it away and rushed to Hiryuu, picking him up.
The other soldiers rushed to help and multiple blades were buried in Zeno's back as he screamed in pain and clawed his hand into the ground, but he didn't let go of the soldier. Instead, his grip got stronger and yellow scales started forming on his skin.
He yanked the soldier and then stood, disregarding the blades in his back as he spun, throwing him at the others and causing them to stumble back. He reached behind and yanked the swords out as the men stared in horror and he gripped the heaviest one as he lunged forward and more scales ran across his skin.
He cut down the men with enraged eyes and swords sliced into him again where the scales hadn't formed. Instead of screaming, he spun and slammed his clawed hand into another soldier's gut and threw him onto the sword of another man as he screamed. His fist flew forward and another man went flying as he suddenly dropped to his hands and flipped, roundhouse kicking his leg into another man and breaking almost all of the bones in his body as he went flying.
He continued cutting them down and soon what was left was cowering or trying to run from him as he lunged forward with no mercy. He hated conflict! He hated getting attacked because then he would slaughter because of his scales and dragon blood. But they had attacked King Hiryuu! They had poisoned his precious King Hiryuu! They had caused him pain!
He attacked what was left and he heard a scream of pain from over by his king. He immediately spun to see the man in blue lying in a puddle of blood, draped over King Hiryuu with a lance buried in his back. His staff was a few feet away and above him was the owner of the lance, another soldier, but this one wearing red, the color of the General of the castle.
Zeno left the soldiers and sped over there, his eyes blazing in anger, "YOU BASTARD!" He lunged and his hand was blocked by the lance as it was roughly yanked out of the man in blue's back with a scream of pain and a spray of blood.
He wasn't thousands of years old for nothing and he immediately changed the position of his hand, grabbing the lance, "YOU FOOL! I AM THOUSANDS OF YEARS OLD AND IMMORTAL! YOU THINK YOU CAN BEAT ME WITH KING HIRYUU'S LIFE ON THE LINE?! I WILL SLAUGHTER YOU!"
The man's eyes widened and Zeno crushed the steel handle of the lance as he yanked it free, spinning it in his hand and lunged at the General, who jumped back with a shout, grabbing a sword off of the ground in a rush. Zeno's eyes narrowed. He would kill this man and then save King Hiryuu.
OoOoOo
Lun desperately healed the redhead with his staff and he heard movement behind him. He spun and he saw Yak-Sol behind him with his lance raised, aimed at the redhead's throat or chest. His eyes widened and he quickly threw himself over the redhead and cold pain ripped through his body seconds later as he screamed in agony, collapsing on top of the redhead's stomach with his eyes half lidded as his blood quickly poured across the ground.
He heard rushing footsteps and then his entire body jerked and he screamed again as the lance was roughly yanked out of his body. He heard a clang and a shout of surprise before vague yelling hit his ears, but he could barely comprehend anything anymore except for the dying man below him.
He dragged himself to his staff and then back to the redhead, his teeth gritted in pain and his blood still leaking out, but now it was slow as he ran out of blood to lose and he knew he was going to die, but damn him if he didn't fix what he caused. He had agreed to this unwittingly and he wasn't going to let it cost this man's life.
He mustered what energy he had left and painstakingly rested the silver staff above the man's heart, pushing the energy into it as it glowed blue and then white and Hiryuu gasped and coughed, taking in a heaving breath and then relaxing into the ground with a small sigh, twitches still occasionally hitting him, but now the poison was neutralized.
Lun sighed in relief and then his grip slackened on the staff and his eyes glazed over as he fell limp. One last soft sigh left his lips and then nothing and his entire body fell prone, his head tipping to the side as his bangs shadowed his glazed eyes, dead.
OoOoOo
Zeno killed the man that had cut down the blue healer and then spun back to King Hiryuu. He saw the staff resting on the breathing king's chest and the healer's hand rested on the handle with no grip and no movement and he knew he was dead just by how much blood was around him. A blood trail led to where the staff had been and then back and he knelt and gently closed the man's glazed eyes with a soft sigh. As a last act, he'd healed the king of the poison because now the redhead was breathing normally and just regular unconscious.
He picked the healer up in one arm and then picked Hiryuu up in the other, covering them both as tears dripped down his face from what he'd been forced to do. Bodies littered the ground around him and his king was weakened and the man that had saved the redhead was dead, cut down protecting King Hiryuu, the job that Zeno was supposed to do.
He heard a voice speaking and he recognized Shu-Long, back from where he'd gone to the market for the day. The door opened and the monk froze as he saw the blood splattered room and the dead bodies everywhere. He looked at Zeno, who looked at him with blazing blue eyes, daring him to attack him.
The groceries dropped from the monk's hands and he collapsed to his knees, "What-What happened?"
Zeno scowled, "They poisoned King Hiryuu because they wanted the castle and the castle healer was cut down healing him." His eyes darkened, "They tried cutting me down. You can see how well that turned out."
"P-Poisoned?!"
"Yes. I killed them all for it. I hold no regrets."
"By the gods, I didn't, I don't understand. Why would they do this? They were in awe of him."
"Power differences lead to hate and hate leads to greed and death."
Hiryuu shifted and then opened his eyes and slowly focused on Zeno, "W-What happened?" His eyes opened the rest of the way and then he gasped and shot up, looking around the room and then at Zeno, who was soaked in the blood of everyone in the room, even himself, the man in his arms, and Zeno's own blood. His clothes were dyed in it and his hands were covered in it.
He gasped and then reached up and gently touched Zeno's cheek, "Oh, my poor Zeno. You had to kill."
"They poisoned you and the man in my other arm was cut down healing and protecting you while I fended off the soldiers. They all attacked you and I was cut down guarding you, so I had to do it because they wouldn't stop coming."
Hiryuu gently wiped the blood from Zeno's forehead and kissed it, "Thank you for protecting me, precious. I know it hurts you."
Zeno nodded softly, "I had to do it. I had to protect you."
"I know, precious." He looked at the man in blue and then gently pulled him from the blonde's arms into his own, "He healed me and protected me?"
"His last act was to heal you after he'd been cut down by the traitorous General."
"I see." His fingers brushed over the man's closed eyelids and then his slightly parted lips and he sighed, "He was young, too young. He's only got to be in his early twenties."
Zeno nodded, "I-I noticed. If I had been able to be here quicker…"
"Hush, my Zeno. You cannot be two places at once. It's not your fault."
Zeno's head bowed, "It feels like it."
"Well it's not, so don't blame yourself."
The man suddenly shifted and both of their eyes widened in shock. How was he still alive?! He had lost so much blood that there wasn't anymore left to lose and he was only human! Their eyes widened in further when his hair suddenly streaked with blue until it was entirely blue and red marks formed below his eyes, which opened slightly to reveal gold with slits.
Hiryuu's heart almost stopped, "Seiryuu."
The man's eyes opened further and he focused on Hiryuu above him, "King...Hiryuu?"
Suddenly a voice spoke in Hiryuu's head, his brother, Seiryuu, "He has passed the test of loyalty. Only for you brother, shall I return what was lost long ago. The others are coming, but they must pass their tests first. Be safe, brother."
Then it was gone and his eyes widened, "Abi?"
Zeno gasped in shock and the man's eyes lit up, "King Hiryuu, it is you."
Zeno's eyes widened and he bent over Abi, "Is that really you, Abi?"
Abi focused on him and then smiled weakly, "You don't look right covered in blood, Zeno. Now you look too scary. I think that even Shu-Ten would be scared."
Zeno smiled happily and hugged him, "Abi!"
Abi grunted, "Too...tight...dragon...strength."
Zeno loosened his grip with a sheepish smile, "Oops, Zeno is sorry. He's just so happy!"
Hiryuu chuckled, "Yes, he's now talking in third person. It suits him quite well."
Abi, who had been let go, smiled, "Yes, it does." He looked around, "I missed it because I was healing King Hiryuu, but was this all you, Zeno?"
Zeno blushed, "Zeno had to protect King Hiryuu and they wanted to hurt him, so Zeno had to stop them."
Abi whistled softly, "Wow, little Zeno can be vicious."
Zeno's blush darkened and he spoke in a mumble, "Zeno has done worse."
Abi slowly sat up and Hiryuu put a hand on his back for him to lean on as he spoke, "Worse?"
Now the mumble was even quieter, "Zeno fought armies because it made him feel close to his brothers. The armies wanted to take over the lands of Kouka and Zeno wanted to protect King Hiryuu's castle, but he was the only one left, so he protected it all by himself. Armies called Zeno a monster, but Zeno doesn't care."
Hiryuu's eyes widened, "You did?"
"Yeah, Zeno had to protect King Hiryuu's castle."
Hiryuu suddenly hugged him tightly, yanking him into his arms, "Oh Zeno, I'm so sorry you were left all alone and had to do that."
"Zeno is okay. It was long ago, when his brothers were still alive. Zeno was sad though, because when Zeno fought, Gu-En died and Zeno never went to visit him like he promised."
Abi's eyes widened and then he hugged the blonde also, "I'm sorry we had to leave you, Zeno."
Zeno relaxed into their arms with a smile, "It's okay, but will Abi leave his pretty eyes visible this time? Zeno missed Abi's pretty eyes."
Abi hesitated, but King Hiryuu's bright red hair and purple eyes assured him that this was really King Hiryuu and he smiled, "Yes I will, Zeno."
"Yay!"
Hiryuu let them go and then pulled himself to his feet and grabbed Abi's new staff, handing it to him, "Can you still use this blended with your new soul?"
Abi stood and nodded, taking it in his hand, "Yes I can."
Zeno stood and Hiryuu waved his hand. Immediately, his clothes repaired and cleaned and the blood disappeared, leaving him clean but still in his dragon state. He looked around the room and waved again and the bodies lined up as sheets formed over them. The blood cleaned from the room and the passed out Shu-Long (he'd passed out when Abi woke up) was moved to another section of the room.
Hiryuu looked over them and then waved his hand and the bodies floated up, "Let's go bury them. Come on you two."
They nodded and followed him from the room.
OoOoOo
