Chapter 10: Dance

Several hours before the dinner with Yona and her friends, Queen Akemi was walking through the great hall of the red keep when she heard her husband's councilman speaking. "So I hear that another month has gone by with Queen Akemi being childless. Once again that woman has failed to produce an heir for King Hiryuu." she recognized the voice as Guen's oldest cousin, newly appointed Lord Kye-long. She really did not like the man, even if he was the earth tribe leader's cousin.

"That's all you men think of." Akemi smiled at the fiery response from one of Hiryuu's closest friend's, Yu-shi Yun. Peering around the corner she watched the auburn haired woman place her hands on her hips as she spoke. As the Chief of Medicine, Chief of House and Chief Chef, she held more entitlements than most women. She was stout in statue and had a burning passionate anger problem that most tried to avoid. With the rumor going around that Hiryuu was about to make her Chief Councilwoman, this meant trouble for those who considered her a low born woman and there were other rumors that she was Hiryuu's concubine and that was why she was gaining her titles. Akemi knew those rumors to be untrue as Yu-shi Yun was in love with Shuten, something that the Ryokuryuu warrior was oblivious to. "The Queen has better things than to be waddling around barefoot and pregnant! Hiryuu wants her help in ensuring the safety to Kuuto and the smaller villages around the castle." she pointed at the group of councilmen. "I'd like to see you put your previous lives on hold for nine months while carrying another human being in your belly! Not to mention getting fat, bloating, ankles double in size and sleeping half of the day away!" she then paused and smirked, something Akemi couldn't see but could hear as Yu-shi chuckled. "Then again, Councilor Fong is there something we should know?" Chuckles erupted as the pudgy wind tribe councilman rubbed his belly.

"Okay," Fong stated with a smile on his face. "As Shuten's third cousin, I do have a say in this as well. We have spoken to the king about his childlessness and we have told him that we will give him and Queen Akemi one year to have a child before we force upon him some concubines."

"Let me guess, he said no to this?" Yu-shi inquired, her voice taking on a calmness to it; which never was good.

"Yes." Councilman Li-shin stated with an exasperated tone. Akemi recognised him as the councilman that Hiryuu had appointed to the fire tribe that he had just formed a few months prior. The dark haired man seemed ambitious but there was something about him that rubbed Akemi and Yu-shi Yun the wrong way.

"Do you know why?" she asked them as she approached them like a predator about to pounce on its prey. "Do you fools even understand the concept of love?" she narrowed her eyes at them. "He loves Akemi. She's the first woman to want him because of the man he is and not to Kami he once was!" They all looked nervous at her words. "But of course, Hiryuu can't have feelings towards her, now can he?"

"It's not that we don't understand this," a younger councilor said. Akemi looked at him and swore internally. It was Abi's half brother, Lord Fumio. The man usually was hold up in the mountains of scrolls that he kept in his library. If he was out, talking to others, it was serious. "It's that we worry that he will die in a battle and leave our country without somebody to rule it."

Yu-shi gave a deep sigh. It was something that a lot of people worried about, herself included. "I'll talk to the Queen about this. I'll also add more protein to their diets. Perhaps that'll help in making the Queen produce an heir." she spoke softly.

"Perhaps you should warn her that we'll be looking at some young women over the next several months." said an older voice. The grand chief councilman looked at her through bushy grey brows. The white mustache under his nose twitched as he spoke. His name was coincidently Zeno, the same name as his grandson and new chief of the sky tribe.

Yu-shi was about to speak when Ouryuu Zeno's voice interrupted them. "Gramps!" the youth shouted excitedly causing the older councilman to smile, his moustache seeming to spread with his smile as those bushy brows lifted showing bright the blue eyes that Zeno seemed to have inherited from him.

"Be more respectful of your elders Ouryuu!" the older man chastised him, though there was very little heat in it.

Zeno seemed to think on that for a moment. "Okay." he said before going off excitedly. "King Hiryuu is bringing some guests tonight. I've been asked to ensure things are taken care of for them!" he grinned with his excitement.

"Isn't that a job for a servant?" Kye-long inquired sounding astonished that Ouryuu was actually excited to do something as menial as this.

Zeno blinked in surprise at his words. "But that's what we are." he answered. "We are his servants."

"You are warriors!" Li-shin yelled at him, sounding upset that the warriors were being used like this.

Ouryuu Zeno rolled his eyes at Li-shin's words. Shrugging he told them. "I enjoy doing the King's bidding." he told them before he went to walk away.

"Lord Ouryuu," Fong began as he raised his hand to touch the young man's shoulder. "Who is it that's coming?" he inquired, his pudgy face turning into a smile.

"Ah," Zeno began as he scratched the side of his head and smiled. "They're entertainers. There's even a pretty young woman with them, but she got separated from her friends, so the others and his majesty are searching for them. Once found he has invited them to the castle."

Yu-shi chuckled, a smile spreading across her face. "Sounds like fun." she told him.

"Exactly!" Zeno told her with excitement in his voice. "King Hiryuu hasn't had fun in a long time and this is just what he needs." he then turned to leave. "Bye, I've got things to do now!"

"This may be what we need." Kye-long said as he touched his chin. "If the King enjoys this young woman, we could invite her stay indefinitely."

Yu-shi gave a deep exasperated sigh. "I'm staying out of this." she told them. "If it blows up in your faces, I want nothing to do with this idiocy." she turned around and headed towards Queen Akemi's position.

"Tch. We don't need you help any way, woman!" Lord Fong yelled at her.

Yu-shi was about to turn the corner when she was grasped by the wrist by the Queen, her eyes widening in surprise. She was then placed next to the Queen as Akemi turned to continue to list e n in on the council's plans. "This is a bad idea." she told her Queen.

Akemi chuckled. "I'm not letting a bunch of old men trample my and Hiryuu's marriage." she looked at her friend. "Thank-you for standing up for us."

Yu-shi smiled as she played with her long auburn hair. "Well, I am a pretty genius." she stated with a bright smile. "So, what are you going to do about the concubine thing?" she was seriously curious about it.

"Scare them off?" she asked. "As for this entertainer girl, I'm going to make sure she doesn't stay too long."

"How?" Yu-shi asked with a raised brow.

"I'll think of something." Akemi stated as she watched the old men leave the area. Bringing out her paper fan she began to fan herself to cool down as she began to formulate a plan or two. It wasn't until she saw the thin dirty girl and her companions walk through the red dragon keep gates that she saw exactly who she might have to get rid of. The girl was young, that much she could tell. Her cloak hid her face, so Akemi couldn't see what she looked like; but the way she moved made her seem innocent. She had five men surrounding her at all times, the dark haired one with the staff weapon seemed especially protective.

When Hiryuu came up to her and asked her to ensure their guests were given a change of clothing that was appropriate for dinner a sudden plan began to formulate. She knew Shuten sometimes brought women into his chambers, some of these girls left clothes behind. She smiled as she went off to find some of these clothes and had them sent to that girl's room. Maybe if she was treated like a whore then perhaps she'd leave quickly.

When the young woman and her companions entered the dinning hall, Queen Akemi was shocked at how different those clothes were from what she had given her. Not only that, but the young girl wore a wrap on her head that covered her hair and once more it made her wonder what the girl looked like. She looked at the boy they called Yun and suddenly felt as if she'd met him before. His auburn or strawberry blond hair was cut short, but had several strands that covered his eyes. He wore a feathered decorative tie in his hair that gave him the air of femininity.

The three others that seemed to be copying the dragon warriors with their hair color seemed to be watching their Yona, very carefully. Shuten was glaring at Guen, who looked smug for some reason whilst calm and calculating Abi looked like he wanted to kill his white haired brother. She couldn't understand where all this hostility was coming from. What is going on here?

Then Hiryuu told them that Yona would be dancing for them. Now Akemi just wanted to go lay down somewhere. This Yona girl was going to woo her husband away from her, she was certain of it! Taking deep calming breaths, Akemi walked next to her husband as they entered the gardens. She felt Hiryuu wrap an arm around her waist and whisper in her ear.

"You look beautiful tonight." his voice was deep and seductive, which caused her face to heat up. Smiling at him she kissed his cheek; this caused him to look at her lovingly.

How could I be so petty? She wondered as she watched the green haired man sit down on the stone rock platform that was used for the musicians as Yona walked over to the green grass in front of them. She held a short sword in her hand that had a decorative sheath and handle with gems in it. She recognized it as Guen's short sword, that he never used. He said that it was too gaudy and was pretty much useless in a fight, compared to his dragon claw. I will behave myself from now on. She thought as she once again looked at her handsome husband who smiled as Yona prepared herself.

Yona sighed as she let her bare feet touch the green grass. She had decided to dance barefoot tonight. When she had begun to learn to dance, she had danced only barefoot. Her teacher had told her that was the way they danced in ancient times. She wasn't sure if that was true but it allowed her to feel a bit freer than she normally did.

As Jae-ha began to play the stringed instrument, she allowed herself to be carried away by the music. Her body swayed as she moved her hips to the sounds that surrounded her. Her eyes closed as she twisted her body and swung the sword with her. She felt possessed as she moved this way and that. Her legs taking her in the direction of the music as she used the sword like she would a dance partner. Spinning, her dress fluttered around her erotically, giving everyone a small glance as her bare legs. The wind seeming to begin playing with her as she danced. As the music sped up she moved faster, her hips wiggling as she moved to the sound of the music which seemed to carry her away from everything around her.

When the music ended and her body stopped, she opened her eyes and found her cheeks heat up at the look of absolute want in Hak's eyes. She'd never seen that look in his eyes and it made her feel suddenly shy. As Her chest heaved from having moved so much, her cheeks heated even more as she become aware at the others eyes on her.

She suddenly saw Kija faint as he fell backwards against the ground, thankfully he had been sitting and hadn't fallen to far. "Kija!" Yona cried out in surprise. Her voice seeming to break the spell she had on everyone as suddenly Yun and she both were fussing over the white haired man who sat up and assured them that he was alright.

"Okay! Enough girly stuff." Shuten stated as he stood up. "I wanna fight somebody." he eyed Jae-ha, who groaned.

Hak suddenly stood up with a dark smile. "Don't look at droopy eyes for a fight." he stated, Jae-ha mouth a thank-you at him. "I want to see if the old man's claim is true. Are you really such a great fighter?"

Guen started to laugh. "I wanna fight too!"

Hak smirked. "I'll take you on afterwards." he told the first generation Hakuryuu.

"Hak's going to have fun." Yona said happily as she sat next to Hiryuu.

He looked down at her. "Don't you think he's taking on too much. Shuten won't go easy on him like Guen might." He told her sounding a bit worried for the youth.

"Hak isn't known as the Raiju for nothing." she told him. "I believe he could take on the host of the heavens if he had to." Hiryuu's eyes widened at such a claim.

"You want my full strength boy or just weapons?" Shuten asked him, a grin forming on his lips.

"I'd be insulted if you weren't at full strength" Hak told him as he slammed down the quandao in the ground, a crater forming underneath the pole as he did so.

"Who thinks the Raiju will win?" Yun asked causing their whole group raise their hands.

Zeno was chuckling as he watched his two brothers challenge the younger man. High above everyone another older Ouryuu was watching the group from his perch in the trees. A bright smile crossing his face as he watched what was happening. He had always been curious if Mister could beat Hakuryuu and Ryokuryuu. Shuten looked excited as Guen looked like a kid about to open the best present in the world.

M-Angel: Yes, Yu-shi Yun made an appearance in this story. No, Yun doesn't know who she is here. So the next chapter Hak will fight.