Author Notes: Hello again, everyone! Enjoy this next chapter :)

- Chapter Start -

Early the next morning, Hak and Yona waited at one of the side entrances of Saika Castle, along with Mun-Dok, Tae-Woo, Geun-Tae, Kyo-Ga and Tae-Jun. Soo-Won came down the steps, moving slowly with Joo-Doh and Min-Soo on either side to provide support.

Gulfan had arrived at dawn to deliver a message that Hiryuu Castle was awaiting His Majesty's return, and was now perched on Soo-Won's shoulder.

"Good morning, everyone," Soo-Won greeted, looking around with a smile. "General Kyo-Ga, Lord Tae-Jun, good work on your detailed report of the battle statistics, and for seeing to the injured soldiers. I heard many of them have recovered enough to return home. Thank you again for your kind hospitality in letting me rest here as well."

"We are honoured to have you here, Your Majesty." Kyo-Ga replied as he and Tae-Jun bowed low. "Our mother sends her deepest respects and wishes you a safe journey home."

"Ah, thank you. I am touched by her concern."

Soo-Won then turned to Hak and Yona and held out his arms, his smile deepening when they stepped closer to clasp his hands.

"I will contact you two in a couple of days' time," he said in a low voice. "Are you planning to stay here? What about your friends?"

"We leave for Capital Fuuga after this," Hak replied. "Yoon and the Dragons will meet us there."

"That's good. Gulfan will know where to find you two," Soo-Won said and turned to the hawk on his shoulder. "You remember Hak, don't you?"

The hawk hopped onto Hak's shoulder and nipped gently at his ear. Hak's stunned expression and Soo-Won's pleased laugh made for a precious moment, one which Yona tucked away in her mind to be enjoyed later.

"Take care, Soo-Won," she said.

"Thank you, Yona. You two as well."

After Soo-Won left in a beautifully decorated palanquin, escorted by his generals and Elder Mun-Dok, it was Hak and Yona's turn to bid farewell to their hosts.

- o -

Mun-Dok and Tae-Woo returned to Capital Fuuga that very evening, not wanting to miss the Wind Tribe's feast celebrating Hak and Yona's return, and on a slightly lesser scale, Kouka's victory over Sen Province.

Xing's two princesses and the Five Stars were also invited, but only Yotaka, Vold and Algira attended. Kouren and Tao were at their dying father's bedside while the two remaining Stars were still recovering from their injuries.

Although Hak and Yona bade their guests a warm welcome, Yotaka chose to sit next to Tae-Woo, the one he had interacted with the most. Algira soon gathered a crowd of children and cats around him.

"Never knew Capital Fuuga was overrun by felines," Tae-Woo commented in surprise.

"Did he bring them over from Xing?" Han-Dae wondered.

"If there's a cat within a ten mile radius, you can bet it will sniff out Algira sooner or later," Yotaka told them. He then turned to Ayame and started quizzing her about her beauty routine, ignoring a suspicious Saki who sat on her other side.

"It would've been nice to see Tao again," Yona said with a sigh.

"She too, wishes she could be here," Vold said. "She hopes you two will attend Princess Kouren's coronation as Queen in a month's time."

"A month?" Hak frowned. "I thought your King is very ill."

"Indeed, King Bushin is not expected to last the week," Vold confirmed, "but Princess Kouren is waiting for a very important person to recover first."

"Because there's going to be a wedding right after the coronation!" Algira exclaimed with a grin, proving he was paying attention to their conversation.

"Shut up! It's not been announced yet!" Yotaka hissed at him.

"Idiot-Gira!" Vold added.

Hak and Yona exchanged glances, their eyebrows up.

"Princess Kouren is getting married?" Yona asked. It wasn't long ago that the only thing the princess cared about was waging war against Kouka.

"Ah, it's nothing!" Yotaka waved his hands, glaring at Algira who ignored him.

"Recover first, huh," Hak mused. "Would that be your comrade, the one who shielded Princess Kouren with his body?"

Yotaka pretended not to hear him and Vold just smiled, but Algira nodded vigorously, still grinning.

"Neguro, that's his name, right?" Yona asked, thinking back to those dark, tense moments. "He took so many arrows, it's a wonder he survived."

"He's very devoted to Princess Kouren," Vold said.

"I would have done the same," Yotaka said at once, sounding miffed.

"All of us would have, for both princesses," Vold agreed, "but Neguro has known Princess Kouren since she was ten years old."

"How romantic!" Ayame said, shamelessly listening in on the conversation.

"Ahh! Please don't ask anymore," Yotaka begged. "It's not been made official yet!"

"Hak, you'd do the same for your princess, wouldn't you?" Ayame teased, winking at Yona.

"Yes, don't be shy, Lord Hak," Han-Dae added, grinning.

"No reason for me to be shy," Hak said. To everyone's delight, he brought Yona's hand up to his lips and placed a smacking kiss on the back.

Yona blushed, everyone cheered and Tae-Woo immediately topped up Hak's cup with more sake, claiming a toast was due.

The celebrations lasted long into the night, sake still flowing after all the food was consumed. Although Hak and Yona enjoyed themselves, they couldn't help wishing that their friends were here to celebrate with them... including a very special someone who was recuperating at Hiryuu Castle.

- o -

The next morning, a messenger came with the news that Soo-Won wanted to meet Elder Mun-Dok and all the five tribe generals at the end of the week. Gulfan arrived a few hours later with a short note addressed to Hak and Yona. The familiar handwriting and encrypted words made Hak smile; he and Soo-Won used to send each other secret messages right under Gramps and Joo-Doh's noses.

This time, it was an invitation for him, Yona and their friends to visit Hiryuu Castle a day before the meeting, and a promise that they would be welcomed.

The Four Dragons returned to Capital Fuuga the following day without Yoon, who had opted to stay with Ik-Soo until the end of the week. All of them were excited at the prospect of visiting Hiryuu Castle.

"In the meantime, I think I'll go pay a visit to some pirates-turned-fishermen," Jae-Ha decided. "Zeno can come with me since he's not heavy."

"Oh?" Hak said, ignoring the pointed look Jae-Ha sent his way. "How about bringing back a barrel of Awa Port's finest sake?"

"Hmm." Jae-Ha pursed his lips, pretending to think. "I'd prefer to bring back a wife if Captain Gi-Gan will have me. I've been wooing her for years."

"I have no doubts you'll fail this time too," Hak quipped.

"Good luck, Jae-Ha," Yona said with a grin. "Please give my love to her and all your friends too."

"Of course, Yona-dear."

"In that case, I'll visit Harkuryuu village to see Granny!" Kija announced. "Shin-Ah, would you like to come with me?"

Shin-Ah nodded.

"Will you be bringing back a bride as well, Kija?" Yona asked.

Kija shook his head at once, blushing.

"N-no, Princess Yona! I promise to return here without a wife regardless of how many girls Granny throws at me, and regardless of how pretty they are!"

Zeno grinned, Shin-Ah looked alarmed and Jae-Ha leaned forward, eyes gleaming with interest.

"Looks like Captain Gi-Gan has nothing to fear," Hak muttered to Yona who hid her smile behind her hand.

- o -

A few days later...

Hiryuu Castle looked as imposing as ever, its massive gates seeming larger than Hak remembered. Yona's hand in his was trembling, and he knew she was also thinking back to that fateful night almost a year ago.

The others looked around, curious but silent. The Dragons were probably feeling the power of King Hiryuu, so much stronger here than anywhere else. Yoon looked excited and Hak knew he was hoping to catch a glimpse of the big library here. Ik-Soo looked serene as usual.

It was Min-Soo who came to greet them with a bow and a word of welcome. He brought them inside, past the row of guards to one of the inner courtyards where Soo-Won waited, flanked by Kye-Sook and Joo-Doh.

Hak's fingers tightened around Yona's at once. It was in this very courtyard that he found Yona about to be killed by a guard, learned of King Il's death and his best friend's betrayal, one after the other.

For a moment, the past blurred with the present, sending shivers up his spine. His heart started racing, muscles tensing with a rush of adrenaline.

"Hak! Yona!" Soo-Won looked solemn as he came forward, reaching out to hold their free hands. "Forgive me. I shouldn't have asked Min-Soo to bring you to this place."

Seeing the genuine regret in those aqua eyes, Hak relaxed his hold on Yona's hand and turned to her.

"I'm fine, Hak. It's alright, Soo-Won."

"I'm sorry," Soo-Won apologised again. "I know we have a lot of things to discuss. Soon, I promise."

"That would be good. But first, how are you?" Yona asked.

Soo-Won smiled with a return of his cheerful self.

"Almost as good as new, thank you. The herbs Elder Mun-Dok gave me worked well with the Sky Tribe's medicine. Ah, Gulfan's back."

With Gulfan on his shoulder, Soo-Won turned to Yoon and the Dragons, all of whom bowed awkwardly to him.

To everyone's surprise, Soo-Won bowed back.

"Thank you for taking care of the two persons I cherish most in this world," he said formally. He then shook each person's hand and addressed them by their title.

Kija blushed when it was his turn. Zeno just grinned and even patted Soo-Won on the head, causing Joo-Doh to choke in surprise and Kye-Sook's mouth to fall open. Jae-Ha looked like he was about to start batting his eyelashes. Shin-Ah nodded and stayed silent. Yoon blushed a bit and Ik-Soo was polite.

"And this is Ao!" Yona said, gesturing to the squirrel on Shin-Ah's shoulder.

"Pukkyuu!" Ao squealed.

"Hello." Soo-Won tipped his head to the side as two shiny black eyes stared at him. He held out his hand and laughed when Ao leaped onto it and engaged in a staring contest with Gulfan who didn't seem to know what to make of the plump little animal with the big eyes and fluffy tail staring up at him.

Finally, Soo-Won looked at everyone and smiled.

"Let's go inside. I have refreshments waiting."

He led them to one of the smaller, less used living rooms for which Hak and Yona were both grateful. As soon as they were seated, Min-Soo began pouring tea.

"This is the famous Yun-Ho tea from the Earth Tribe," Soo-Won said.

"Yun-Ho? Isn't that the name of General Geun-Tae's wife?" Yona asked.

"Yes. She's the owner of the tea plantation there."

"How lovely, it smells like flowers!" Yona said after sniffing the tea.

"It does, doesn't it?" Soo-Won agreed happily. "It's become one of the most popular teas in the Kai Empire."

"Oh, not this again," Joo-Doh grumbled and shook his head when Min-Soo offered him a cup.

Soo-Won sipped his tea and looked at the Dragons, all of whom were almost vibrating in their seats, suppressed excitement on their faces.

"I will take you to see Hiryuu's shrine soon," he promised, "but right now..."

He trailed off, his eyes going to Hak and Yona, sitting close together, hands clasped. Then he took a deep breath and let it out.

"It is time to let all of you, including Min-Soo, know the reasons behind my actions of a year ago."

- Chapter End -

A/N: Thank you for reading! Sorry for the cliffie but I just couldn't get the next part written in time. Please leave a review before you go :)