I suck at writing Hak's character. DX It's so hard to get into his head. Also, I'm not entirely sure what's going on with this chapter. But oh well. PTSD Irene here we go. And Yun. I think I'm doing Yona right. Keyword there-THINK.

And I know it's been a while. Please don't hate me. BUT I LOOK SO FORWARD TO JAE-HA. Mwahahahahaha! And-ugh, I dun wanna be a junior when school starts up again. But my sister and I are working on an Otome game-she graduated college, so it's kinda hard to meet up and stuff, but we got the genre and theme thought out, and the overall plot, and we're still working on the character designs. We're each drawing six of the main guys you can end up with and when we meet up when I go to spend the week at her place in two weeks we'll compare and contrast and kinda take details from each before making the final designs. We got one of the character's backgrounds thought out. Least, I did and I told her and she thought it was pretty good.

But the game's gonna be so awesome. :3 S'gonna be a murder mystery thing.

I woke up in more pain than I had ever been in before. I didn't know if it was from when I got hit by all those rocks during the earthquake, when I hurt myself running around and trying to find Blue yesterday morning, or if it was from injuries I had already received from days before. Maybe it was just because of all of them. All I knew was that it felt as if people were gripping different parts of my body as hard as they possibly could in an attempt to break it, trying to sink rocks into my skin. My muscles were also incredibly sore and I bet the reason why was because I strained my body too much.

A lot of stuff had happened yesterday-not only to me, but Blue as well, and I had blacked-out more than once. The only comfort I was feeling as I drifted into consciousness was the hand gently running fingers through my hair and ridding it of all tangles, letting the occasional curl bounce up. I groaned, mumbling as I woke, and tried to shift and change position as I realized I was hugging Blue's thigh, my chest resting in his lap. Unfortunately I only succeeded in making what felt like a raging fire course through all the cuts and bruises my body possessed. I went limp almost immediately upon feeling the pain.

Blue's hand paused temporarily as he realized I was awake, only to soon continue what it was doing. There was a squeak, informing me of Ao's presence, and I felt her nuzzle my right hand which was laying lifelessly on the ground. I cringed, hissing and nearly recoiling as an intense sharp pain shot all the way up from my hand and to my shoulder. A whimper unwillingly escaped and I felt completely pathetic due to my inability to move without hurting myself.

"?" Blue looked down at me and tilted his head. He was wearing his mask, the fur attached, and was fully clothed. I could still think clearly for the most part, and the childish part of me was quite relieved he wasn't half-naked anymore.

"It hurts..." I bit out in response in an attempt to explain, and I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to bury my face in his thigh. My voice cracked, quiet and shaky, and it was hard to speak. "E-Everything hurts..." Make it stop. Please, just make it stop. Every bruise, varying from colors of purple to yellow, hurt at the slightest brush of cloth. Even my side was throbbing a little, but it was minuscule compared to everything else I was feeling. But despite it all I found myself curling closer to Blue, craving his comfort and affection.

For a few long moments we remained in silence, Blue not saying anything and merely petting my head as I laid there silently crying. Suddenly the pain hit me at full force as he slid an arm underneath me, lifting me into a sitting position effortlessly while sliding me into his lap. Blue leaned me against his chest and a small whimper escaped me as my head hit his shoulder. I felt him kiss my forehead and, even though I knew I shouldn't be moving as much I was, I found myself burying my face into the curve of his neck near his shoulder.

His left hand rested on my back, his other arm just draped loosely across my lower back. I didn't bother questioning how I ended up using his thigh as a pillow when I woke up; I didn't care. We cuddled in similar positions to this before anyway, so why would it bother me now?

I stopped moving and the pain lessened, though part of my body still ached because I was pressed against him. Even still I welcomed that tiny amount of pain as it mean that I could be near Blue-someone whom I trusted and cared about. I had nothing to fear if he was with me and I knew he wouldn't let anything harm me. He claimed I was "important" to him and selfish as it might be, I wanted to keep clinging to him. Even though it was yesterday it still felt like it was forever ago that I was laying lifeless on the floor, Yona and Yun nothing more than "dangerous" intruders who would hurt us. Blue, despite the emotional turmoil and pain he was in still tried to protect me. He stood between us, keeping Yona and I separated, because he didn't want me to be hurt. At least, not anymore than I was.

But I don't want him to be hurt either... I doubt anyone could physically hurt him, but I was scared of him being more emotionally wounded than he already is. The villagers had hurt him so bad... I just want to shield him from those who would try to harm him. I want to protect him, too, but... I doubt I'm strong enough.

I know I'm definitely missing muscle and I'm not too entirely sure how strong-willed I am. So protecting him was probably impossible. Blue, on the other hand, could probably lift my entire body up with one arm if he wanted. He was quite muscular and was the farthest from fat, and if his weight from when he was crushing me the other day is anything to go by then holy hobgoblins he's packed with muscle. Most of that weight was muscle and he was heavy enough to sprain my ankle! Even if I wanted to there was no way I'd be able to match, or surpass, him in strength. Maybe if I'm lucky I can just talk my way out of situations. I despise violence.

Doesn't mean I don't know that it isn't necessary at times. I don't like it, but I have to live with it. I guess the most I can do is just stand by Blue like I've been doing. It's not like I'm good at anything else.

I held back a sigh and just listened to his heart beat, able to feel it pounding away in his chest. It was calming and reassuring, so I focused on it.

It reminded me that he was alive and here with me, and that this wasn't a dream. It reminded me that we were far far away from the villagers and that he hadn't left me alone. This pain was real... and so was our situation.

Thankfully, though at the same time unfortunately as my head pounded when he started to speak, Kija walked into the campsite humming to himself. He appeared so much better than before, skin now back to a healthy pale color, and was carrying a pile of sticks in his arms. He almost dropped them at the sight of me and Blue, and actually did drop them as he rushed over in a panic. "A-Are you alright!? B-Brown Dragon, what's wrong!?" I didn't answer, refusing to look at him.

While a part of me screamed that he was trustworthy, that he was someone whose hands I could let my life rest in, another part of me screamed DANGER! DANGER! and I could only think of all the villagers who had beaten me. How Ko-Ji had beaten me. Dad's words also rang in my head, odd as it was, about how men were always more aggressive than females and how I needed to be careful. Add his words with the fact that it was only men that had beaten me, it made some sense as to why I wasn't too keen on being anywhere near a guy if it wasn't Blue.

"Is it your side wound?" Kija asked, and I stiffened and froze as he reached a hand out towards me. The White Dragon saw this and froze, before something flashed in his eyes and he pulled away. "...I'll go get Yun. Wait here." He stood and quickly walked off, leaving us in silence once again. Everyone was gone from camp except us-I didn't know where Yona was, but I'm assuming that one tall guy went with her, and Yun was probably off looking for medicinal herbs. Isn't that what doctors or whatever do in this era?

"P'kyuu!" Ao squeaked, now on Blue's other shoulder, and let out a few more noises as she looked at me. "Kyuu, kyuu!"

"'m fine..." It just hurts. I'm blaming it on the huge amount of bruises that were littering my body and my sore muscles. It felt like I had ran a marathon. All that blacking-out couldn't have been good for me. "It just... h-hurts... a lot. B-But I'm okay."

"Kyuu!"

I was also really really hungry. If I wasn't forced to eat yesterday then I probably wouldn't be feeling hungry right now.

I don't think there's anything Yun can do. I just have to wait for the pain to go away and for my contusions to fade. That's how it always works. I don't get Kija... I don't understand him one bit, or his obsession with me being a "Brown Dragon", but I'm scared to correct him again in fear that he'll yet at me more. He was... terrifying when angry. Everyone's scary when angry... I choked, remembering his face, and would have grabbed Blue's jacket if the pads of my fingers weren't seriously scraped up. It sucked even more than my side wound, as the tip of your fingers are extremely sensitive.

"P'kyuu!"

"I'm... n-not... contra-contradicting myself..." Ao doesn't know what she's talking about. "'m fine."

"Irene..." Blue's voice made me go quiet. It was also right next to my ear as he leaned his head down slightly so I could hear him clearer, the male speaking softly. "Ao is worried... you aren't well." Are you kidding me? I feel fan-freaking-tastic! Of course I'm not "well", Blue... but the pain will go away eventually. "Yun... will help you." I doubt it, but if Blue says so... "Sleep... until big brother gets back with Yun..."

Who the heck is "big brother"? Kija? When did they get so close that they're considering each other brothers? It took days, no-a week before Blue would consider me a friend! How did they get that close in less than twenty-four hours!? What is this? Or... does Blue really just not like me? Was he lying when he said I was important to him? But why would he bring me with him if I was just a nuisance?

It didn't make sense. But the more I tried to convince myself the worse my headache became. Why would Blue bring me along if I wasn't important? Maybe guys just had that "instant connection" or something. What would I know? I was out for most of yesterday. I... I need... I need to stop. To stop doubting everything. I mean, I had issues back in my time but even then they were never this bad. Sometimes I'd cry myself to sleep, sure, but this was ridiculous. I was trying to find reasons to make myself feel worthless. That's not good.

Even if it was true. No! No, stop it. You're not! I can't even do anything. I could only ever scream and run and call for help against the villagers, and every time I hit them or tried to fight back nothing ever worked. I was weak. I'd, more often than not, get caught in the end and it was always up to Blue to save me. I... I couldn't even save myself from dying.

The only time I did something good was when I stopped mother was getting impaled. And now... now I'll never...

I'll never see anyone again.

I started to cry again, but it didn't take long for me to pass out because of it. I was just so drained of everything-It... It just really took it's toll. Yesterday was a mess and today is the aftermath of what happened. I just couldn't take anymore. I was exhausted.

So I did what Blue said. I fell asleep.

When I woke up the last thing I was expecting was to find someone pouring liquid down my throat. It was actually because of someone pouring liquid down my throat that I even bothered to wake up. My eyes shot open and I gasped, choking on the bitter-tasting liquid. I quickly turned my head away, hacking and spitting what I could out, but the person quickly grabbed my face and forced my jaw open, pouring more of the liquid in my mouth. "Just swallow it! It'll numb the pain! It's medicine!" I kept resisting and the person was unable to pull the bottle away as they knew I would spit out the liquid the second I had a chance, and I heard him curse underneath his breath. Eventually I had no choice but to swallow, as it was that or choke, and the boy... or girl?... finally pulled away.

He looked conflicted and worried as he stared at the half empty bottle, and watched with knitted eyebrows as I rolled over on my front and coughed, spitting and wheezing. My gag reflex was also acting up, wanting me to throw up everything, but I didn't feel like dealing with that pain so I tried to keep everything down. "Wh-What did you give me!?"

"Medicine," Yun bluntly replied. I felt dizzy. "And you ended up drinking way too much of it. This is why you should have just swallowed what I was giving you without putting up a fight! What kind of idiot are you!?"

"S-Special kind of stupid," I forced out, trying to control my labored breathing, and looked around dizzily. "Wh-Where's Blue?" He... He isn't here. Why isn't he here? If he was leaving somewhere he would have woken me up to tell me. Did... Did they do something to him? I froze, before turning to look at Yun sharply with horrified eyes.

I actually trusted him. I actually trusted him and-and everyone to not hurt Blue! I believed for the slightest second that they wouldn't hurt us...

Oh god, my head. I'm feeling woozy.

Realization hit me. They got Blue. They're going after me. He tried to drug me while I was sleeping and was claiming it was medicine to make it seem like he was just trying to help! I knew it. I knew I couldn't trust anyone else! Oh god, what if Blue is already-No. No, no, no. I have to... I have to find him! I have to get out and away and find him. Then we'll leave. We'll leave someplace where nobody can find us. Where we can be safe and Blue can show his face without fear. Where he can be himself. They're going to kill us if we stay put. My thoughts were a mess and I was more paranoid than every. I could feel the adrenaline pumping even before I started running.

"H-Hey! Get back here, you idiot; you're injured!"

I have to leave. I can't stay here. I have to find Blue.

I found myself running in the direction I was being pulled to-a direction where I could sense where Blue was. My body kept tugging, voices whispering in my ear, Blue Dragon is this way. He's this way. And from behind I could feel the White Dragon coming towards me at an inexplicable speed. He was fast. I was slow and crippled, but soon the pain vanished and I was able to run on both feet, completely disregarding logic and reason.

I could even see Blue in front of me, walking away. And then I saw another person. The same person I saw before in one of my weird visions-the effeminate male with the brown hair and russet eyes. A dragon tattoo on the left side of his face, more masculine-looking than my slender dragon. He was taller and more thin than I was, but his shoulders were still broad. His face was round, like mine, but was definitely Korean. I felt like I knew him.

And then suddenly I was back in the caves, lost in darkness and torch lights heading towards me as villagers muttered to themselves. I was terrified and I looked around frantically, knowing I was cornered and trapped, and I cried out for Blue and for help.

Ko-Ji was suddenly in front of me, sneering, and it took all I had to move to avoid his attack. I stumbled, hitting the ground, and fumbled to push myself up. My sight was blurry now, tears stinging and welling up in my eyes, and I swore to god his eyes flashed blue as he extended a hand out to me. His hand morphed into a long, terrifying dragon claw and I screamed, scooting away, and soon he went back to normal and was grinning. I finally managed to push myself up to run away. "GET AWAY!"

I tripped and stumbled and slid, but somehow managed to get away from him.

But I only ended up slamming into his double and running straight into his fist, which rammed me right in the solar plexus. I didn't feel much pain, but what little I could feel hurt like hell. He quickly slid an arm underneath my stomach and lifted me up, only making me more winded, and stared at his twin as he asked bluntly, "Lose something?"

"She's not a thing, Hak!" What...? Who's Hak? I couldn't think.

"Hak! Why did you hit her!?" Female. Very female. I don't... what? Dizzy and discombobulated, I could just barely make out a female with amethyst eyes. Her hair was on fire. I would have kicked the Ko-Ji doppelganger, but it was near impossible since I lost all control in my legs. "She didn't even do anything!"

"She was screaming and flailing and running right at me," He deadpanned, "What was I supposed to do?"

The girl struggled for a comeback, but was unable to find one. The first Ko-Ji... or... no... Where'd he go? Why's the White Dragon in his place!? Blue... I'm scared. I'm so scared... I can't move or try and fight back; there's no way for me to escape. I was drugged and incapacitated and there's nothing I can do. They're going to... They're going to kill me. I'm going to die. Again. I'm sorry... I-I'm so sorry... I'm leaving you all alone. I squeezed my eyes shut, clinging onto the stranger's arm as I remained draped over it and held in the air. I couldn't really feel it, but I knew I was crying.

"There was no need for you to harm her!" Kija growled. "She was just scared!"

"Yeah; of you."

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO HURT HER! We need the Brown Dragon to like us, not run away screaming in terror because of your reckless behavior!"

"Oh? Is that so? ...Are you trying to start something with me, White Snake?"

"Do not call me that!"

"It's not my fault you couldn't even catch a runaway. Maybe I should think of something else to call you; this girl's more a snake than you are."

"I will slit your throat if you do not stop!"

The female interrupted, wanting the fighting to end, "Will you both please stop fighting!? You're scaring the Brown Dragon even more than she already is!"

Hak ignored her. "I'd like to see you try-" He was cut off abruptly, and I was sent flying, crashing and rolling on the ground as a blue blur barreled into him. I came to a stop on my front, and any air that I managed to get back was swept away once again. I regained after a few moments, still not able to feel pain, and shakily pushed myself up with my hands to see what had happened.

At first I thought it was a blue cat with a white stripe on the back, but as the hallucination went away and my vision cleared I realized it was Blue. From behind us Yun ran up to see what was going and what had taken so long for Kija to catch me, but he soon came to a stop as he watched in alarm as Hak and Blue wrestled each other. The two men proved to be of equal strength, and after a few minutes Hak finally managed to push Blue off of him-no, that's not right. He threw Blue off of him.

My agile friend rolled for a good three seconds before coming to a sliding stop on his front, dust in his path as his foot skidded against the ground. Blue held himself up in a position very similar to a tiger ready to strike, one his palms against the ground, his fingers digging into the dirt, and his right hand gripping his sword handle in case he had to use it. His fangs were bared and his lips curled back, and if he wasn't wearing his mask and we could see his eyes I bet they would be slit dangerously thin from anger. For a second I thought he really was a tiger or some other form of big cat. But then he went back to being Blue again.

"W-Wait, why are you fighting!? What's going on!?" Yun was freaking out. "Th-Thunder Beast, explain!"

"He hit me first," Was all he said as he readied his Hsu Quandao. I was just lost, brain unable to process what was happening. Why isn't Blue hurt? I mean, I'm more than happy to see he's okay, but I thought they had hurt him...

"Kija, do something! Stop them!"

"Why?"

"GAH! You're all idiots! You-Brown Dragon! Get your boyfriend to calm down!"

...Huh? I blinked, but before I could say anything Blue had sheathed the sword he had just started to pull out and quickly turned his head, focusing his attention on me when Yun said "Brown Dragon". Next thing I knew he had cupped my face with his hands and was staring at me intently. I could feel his eyes boring into me from behind his mask, and as Hak lowered his spear in disappointment Blue spoke. "How... bad does it hurt?"

"..." I was still processing everything. As my brain sluggishly realized that Blue was perfectly fine I reached up without a second thought and pulled him down, wrapping my arms around his neck in a hug. He stiffened, surprised, before quickly reciprocating it by gently wrapping an arm around my back. He kept a hand on the ground to make sure we didn't fall.

"Irene?"

"...You didn't wake me up."

He made a sound, realizing his mistake and putting two-and-two together, and muttered quietly, "I'm sorry..." I pulled away, sniffling and rubbing at my face. "I'm sorry." He said this one louder and more clearly, and continued, "I didn't get here fast enough."

"It's fine." He's here now. That's all that matters.

He frowned, not looking like he believed me, and then turned his head to stare at Hak. He just looked surprised that Blue was even talking. "...Irene..."

"Yeah?"

A dark aura seemed to surround him. "...Can I cut him?" Hak tightened his grip around his Hsu Quandao at that and got in a stance, already accepting the challenge. "Please?"

What!? For a minute I though a devil tail popped out of his butt and the horns on his mask became reminiscent of a demon's. "No."

He frowned.

"No, Blue." Though I'm seriously thinking about letting you punch him. I was starting to feel the after effects of that hit I took. The drugs Yun gave me where strong, though I think my system flushed them out faster than it should've. I was seriously hallucinating when I started to run away. I mean, I'm still a bit delusional, but it's not as bad as it was. Hak's punch made it feel like half the bones in my body were broken. "Stop it! You're not hurting him." He was sulking. Damn it. So adorable. I freaking love Blue-he's the best. But why do you want to hurt him so much anyway? I wasn't able to think about it as a sudden squeak startled me.

"P'kyuu!"

"Ao!" She jumped off of his shoulder and I caught her, cuddling her up to my chest. I then looked up at Yun and Kija, realizing I had forgotten to do something. "Sorry for running earlier. I thought you did something to Blue." They looked dumbfounded-well, Yona and Kija did. Yun looked exasperated as he face-palmed and Hak just looked amused at the whole thing. "You didn't though, so... yeah. I-I'm sorry." The guilt finally washed over and I lowered my head. "I-I shouldn't have... I should have known better. I... I'm so sorry." Just... the thought of losing him is... "I-I'm so sorry..."

"Forget it; it's done and over with now." Yun appeared annoyed and he was pointedly looking away from me. "I'm going back to camp."

I flinched. I really made him mad, didn't I?

"Don't mind Yun, Brown Dragon," Yona said as she made her way over. I stiffened and automatically grabbed onto Blue's arm, latching onto his sleeve. He looked down at me, before turning to stare blankly at Yona. "He's just a bit grumpy. I'm sure he understands why you ran away like that." I highly doubt it. Man, this is uncomfortable. I miss when it was just me, Ao, and Blue. It's difficult dealing with multiple people; it's suffocating. "We're nothing more than strangers. You probably woke up without him there, right?" I felt like a little child, but I nodded slowly. "He's all you have?" Another awkward, timid nod. "Then it makes sense why you were so scared. You don't really know if you can trust us yet, and waking up to find him missing was probably really scary. I know if I woke up in a place full of strangers and Hak wasn't there next to me I'd be really scared, too."

Hak promptly turned his head away, fighting against the pink that spread across his face. "You try to give everybody the wrong idea..."

Yona blinked, staring up at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Forget about it, Princess. Just keep talking."

"But Hak-" She started, before thinking better of it and cutting herself off. She looked at me, only to blink in surprise when she saw I was hiding behind Blue, poking my head head to stare at her. "Brown Dragon?"

"...I'm not a Dragon." I'm not sure how many time I've said it, and I could already see the White Dragon preparing another speech, but I quickly continued. "I'm Irene."

She looked stunned. "You... have a name?"

"Y-Yeah. Blue says it all the time, so... I didn't think I'd have to introduce myself." At least, he says my name when he's talking to me. I don't think I've seen him talk to anyone else yet besides Yona and Yun when they first met in the caves. Actually, scratch that, since we've left the caves he hasn't spoken to anyone besides me and Ao. "A-And if you hurt him, I'll hurt you, so don't try anything!"

Right. Because threatening her about threatening the person you're currently hiding behind makes so much sense. To my surprise, Yona giggled. "You're cute." I blinked.

Am... Am I supposed to be insulted or was that a compliment? I can't... tell..."Uh... thanks?" I think. Oh god, I can't even tell sarcasm apart from actual insults anymore! It's Middle School all over again. "Um... so... what's the deal with all the Dragon stuff?"

Kija, who had been waiting patiently for an opening to speak, quickly started to inform us about the story of the Crimson Dragon King and his five loyal companions. The four warriors, who fought front line and would give up their very life for him, and the healer who was his most trusted friend and adviser.

I almost started to believe that I could be a Brown Dragon, if only by chance rather than by importance, because of all the weird stuff that had been happening to me. The crash and my death, and the weird voice. The tattoo and the vision of the man I keep seeing-even the voices in my head spoke about me being an "adviser", and there was that moment when I literally seemed to take away Blue's pain-absorbing it, actually. But... I don't even know how I did that. I don't even think I could do it again. And my canines... they were sharper and longer. Not as long as Blue's or Kija's, but definitely longer than what they normally were.

Before long we started to head back, but pain once again began to take control of my body. I didn't protest as Blue picked me up; I knew he would only be stubborn if I asked to be put down. So I let him carry me, head hurting too much to argue, and I relaxed and rested my head on his shoulder. I wondered if the drugs Yun used on me were just meant for someone who was bed-ridden, as they wore out pretty quickly.

At least, it seemed like it did. It was almost twilight by the time we go back to the camp. Yun was cooking something, stirring soup that was in a pot. I pet Ao calmly as we neared, as I was still holding her while Blue carried me, and was careful not to drop her as Blue set me down carefully against a tree. "Thanks," I told him, as I knew if I tried to walk by myself I'd of ended up collapsing over due to my ankle. I seriously pushed it too far when I was running earlier. It hurt like crazy. Blue nodded and then sat down next to me-only to quickly get into a laying position on his side and rested his head on my lap. He wrapped an arm around my waist, and didn't really seem to care that I was slightly dirty from all the times I fell during my escape.

He doesn't seem to mind a lot of things, actually.

My hands still hurt, but it was mainly my fingers and the tips of them rather than my palm, so I carefully began to rub circles on Blue's back as I watched everyone get seated around the fire Yun had started. It was getting cold out. He also needed the fire to cook, so... two birds with one stone, I guess. The smell of food began to waft around and I could feel my stomach twisting sickly.

Suddenly I remembered something. "Oh, yeah! Yun, Blue isn't my boyfriend." I was in such a state of shock earlier, and my mind was so sluggish, I forgot to deny it. "He doesn't even know about that kind of thing-not really."

Everyone just stared at me like I was an alien with two heads. Well, three if you're counting Ao who was on my shoulder.

"I mean, he knows about couples and stuff, but he doesn't know about them... makes sense?" I felt awkward and small speaking up like this, but I tried for a facade of confidence. "I mean, we're close-I mean, I think we're close, but we're just friends." Yun stared at me, then at the male sleeping on my lap. He then turned back to the food, dumping in what looked suspiciously like tomatoes. Gross. Though... in my starving state it looked like the most delicious thing in the world.

"Poor guy." He muttered. I blinked. He's not seriously suggesting what I think he is, is he? Blue's innocent. He doesn't have thoughts like that. "Just where are you from anyway?"

"Huh?" Oh no. Everyone was staring at me. Yona looked especially curious, and Kija looked excited to hear what I had to say. Deciding to be as vague as possible, or at least attempt, I waved a hand in the air and said, "From the land of hamburger-the most delicious food ever." Well, no, that's a lie. Chicken is the best. I love chicken. "Okay, fine; I'm from a... a really big country. It's, uh... called America."

Yona looked confused. "I've never heard of that country."

"Yeah, it's... it's really far away. It... It can't really be reached."

"So it's like a secret city!?" Kija exclaimed, and I stiffened when he scooted closer. "What's it like?"

Uh... crud monkeys. "I dunno how to explain. Most teenagers I know are jerks, kids are... kids... most adults I've met are really nice, there's a lot of prejudice and hate, and while I don't really understand it it's there. There's also a high suicide count." At least, there is from what I've learned in school. And... that kid...

"That's awful! No wonder why you came here to Kouka."

I became quite depressed, recalling what had happened just before the crash. "Yeah..." I spoke quietly, eyes tearing up, and stared dully at the fur attached to Blue's mask. "Yeah, it is." I had almost forgotten about it. But, of course, how could I? Maybe I'm just getting used to the thought of death, having always been constantly threatened with it, but...

I sighed, leaning my head back and closing my eyes. I was done with this conversation.

Kija seemed to sense that and moved back over next to Yona where he had been sitting.

I had to wake Blue up for dinner, and he once again refused to let me eat by myself. I wondered for the rest of the night until I fell asleep if I should have also mentioned that it was considered "The Land of the Free" and how America let pretty much anyone from anywhere come in. While some of the people were racist, the country itself was not. But racism is everywhere, so it probably doesn't matter how I described it. It's just how life is. There are a lot of rude people out there.