Sorry it has taken so long for me to update. I got a lot of family at my house and everytime I decide to write I get interrupted. On top of it all, I had to literally force myself to write and squeeze this chapter out. Getting major blocks… ideas would be great. I'm still trying to come up with ways that the two can meet the other dragons, Hak and Yoon.

Chapter 7

Yona lay beside Shin-Ah, watching him sleep. Leaning against a tree, he didn't look like he was sleeping very comfortable. Carrying her all this way, he had to be exhausted. It made her feel ashamed. She should have walked beside him but instead she'd been sleeping. Now, she wondered how she'd slept like she did for so long. They needed food; maybe she could go find something before he woke up.

Bracing herself on the tree that Shin-Ah was sleeping against, Yona pushed herself to her feet. But it was all she could do not to cry. Moving was excruciating to her legs. Pain or not, she wanted to do this simple task. Only getting past a few yards of trees before she stumbled, she was falling… arms grabbed her before she hit the ground.

Leaning heavily against her savior, Yona muttered. "Useless." She was useless and nothing but a burden. Why isn't he leaving me behind? He owed nothing, but she owed her life and more.

"No." Shin-Ah admonished, helping her walk back to their meager campsite. "Stay put." He demanded in little words that clenched her heart. He's so tired. Where is he going?

Watching him go, Yona had no choice but to slump back on the tree and wait.

Several minutes later, Shin-Ah came back bearing berries and roots. When he divided them up to share, Yona noticed he gave more to her. Shaking her head, she pushed more on his side. "You need it more than I do."

He had manners enough not to argue with her and they ate in silence.

Afterward Shin-Ah helped Yona to her feet. Not saying a word, he led her deeper through the forest. Her limping seemed to get worse, but she refused to complain. They had to get farther away as they could from the castle. At least she could lean on him for support. They carried on until nightfall. Shin-Ah only had them stop on account of her. The thought made Yona shameful that she was so weak.

Again she thought… Why doesn't this man leave me behind? He has no need for me, I'm only slowing him down. He was just as concerned about her well being as his own… if not more. What was she to him, anyway?

Yona stared at Shin-Ah across their tiny campfire. This was the first time they made a fire since they had escaped the castle. Need of warmth was stronger than fear of being seen. Shivering even though she had Shin-Ah's fur wrapped around her, she worried about the Seiryuu. He was surely cold, and she had his fur hide. Frowning, Yona stood up and walked to his side of the fire. "Here," she extended the fur to him. He looked up at her and shook his head. She'd always suspected he was stubborn, but she was also stubborn. Not taking no for an answer, Yona sat down beside him. Scooting until their shoulders brushed, she wrapped one side around him until they were sharing it. It was big enough they could.

Shin-Ah tensed for a moment and Yona wondered if she had overstepped the boundaries. But then, a hesitant arm wrapped around her back, making her warmer in an instant. Yona sneaked a look up at Shin-Ah and jumped when she realized he was mirroring her actions. There was a strange fluttering beginning in her chest. She'd felt such a thing before but it had been long ago. When she'd had her heart set on having Soo-won. No—she could never let herself feel for another ever again. The one she loved had betrayed her in the worst possible way there was. No, she had to squash any feelings that were trying to take hold of her heart. She would have to put that traitor heart under lock and key.

That night Yona found herself back to back with Shin-Ah. With the night air and only one fur hide that was the only way to stay warm. It didn't take long for the both of them to fall into a deep sleep from their exhaustion. Nightmares plagued Yona's tortured mind, but she was paralyzed and unable to wake herself up. She used to force herself awake. Now it was as if something pinned her down. Like Soo-won and his filthy hands… all over her body.

"No!" she screamed in anger and horror. There was no pushing anyone anyway this time.

The next morning Yona had a discourteous awakening. Something furry was brushing against the side of her face. A scream ripped from her throat loud enough to wake the dead. Shin-Ah came running out of the forest in a panic, stopping short at the scene. A squirrel sat on Yona's forehead. It looked like it was eating her face at first. At closer inspection, it was only rubbing its nose. The girl looked terrorized; not knowing what kind of animal was on her head.

"Be still." Shin-Ah said quietly, making her freeze.

"W—what is it?" Yona whimpered.

Shin-Ah scooped up the offending object off her face. Yona bolted up, rubbing at her face. "It's a squirrel!" she sounded shocked.

The little thing wasn't even trying to escape Shin-Ah's hands. "P'kyuuu?" They both stared at the squirrel before laughing.