Chapter 1:

When his sweet, beautiful daughter was presented in front of him, he gaped at her fury red hair. "Henryuu...sama?" He cradled her close to his heart and wept. "Of all to be chosen, why her? Why my daughter?" With teary eyes, he placed his forehead to her. "Youw ill see many terrible things and I apologize little one."

"Love, Yona," came the frail and dying wife.

King Hiryuu turned his attention to his wife. "My dear, you must stay! Do not go!"

"Yona, Love. Call...her...Yona. That...is my last...wish," the wife responded, eyes closing. Her pants slowed and she broke into a smile. "I love you..."

"My Dear, Yona will be safe-I promise this," the King shakily said.

Let the light shine
Through the many of the dark.
Take my hand, I won't leave you alone.
Let us take a journey~
Beyond the mountains and valley-

"Yona?" King Hiryuu called out to his six year old daughter.

Yona paused and grinned at her father. "Daddy!" With eyes wide, she clung to her father. "Okaeri-nasai!"

The King smiled. "Tadaima. What a beautiful song Yona. Where did you learn it?"

Yona shrugged with a childish innocence. "A man with yellow hair taught me. He was very kind and he called me Henryuu-sama. Daddy, what does that mean?"

Almost immediately, King Hiryuu froze. 'A Dragon?' He faked a smile. "Did he say his name?"

Yona shook her head. 'Zeno-san, I'm keeping my part of the promise, so you better keep yours!'

"Anyways, Yona, I have someone I'd like you to meet," stated King Hiryuu. He moved to the side to reveal a light brunette wearing a simple, lavender kimono. He had warm brown eyes that stared deep into hers.

"Hello," the boy greeted. "My name is Soo-won. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Yona watched the boy warily, something deep inside of her warning her that the boy would bring her harm. He's not one of them.

Beyond the mountains and valleys.
The red of dawn
Breaks through the night.
Let us walk together
On the path of-

"Yona, my child. I've brought along another friend!" interrupted King Hiryuu.

Blinking, Yona jumped down from her perch on the tree and ran to her father. "Otou-san?"

The King jumped and turned with a smile. "There you are. I'd like you to meet Hak. He will be your bodyguard from now on."

Yona stared at the raven haired child with mischievous blue eyes. He wore a head band with two feathers marking his rank as one of the Wind Tribe. He felt warm, safe. He was not one of them, but he was the same. She smiled. "Hello. I'm Yona-nice to meet you."

He could only blink at the outstretched hand before smirking and placing a kiss on it. "The pleasure is mine." He watched in amusement when she turned bright red and exclaimed he was only to place his hand in hers.

On the path of love.
So take my hand gently.
Let us enjoy this journey.
We will never part
Once we reconcile and meet~.

Yona set down her brush as she finished singing.

"You sang it perfectly Yona-chan," a voice rang.

Smiling, Yona faced one of them. "Zeno! I thought you weren't coming tonight?"

"And miss your birthday? You know I love you Yona-chan," Zeno smiled. "I wouldn't miss this day for anything" With his messy blonde hair caressing Yona's face, he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "You mean the world to me."

Yona grinned and gasped when Zeno revealed a small trinket. It was a pair of earrings-gold threads on an emerald to go on her ears. "Zeno, you didn't have to."

"Sorry, I couldn't visit you earlier Yona-chan. I was working to get this," Zeno laughed.

"Thank you," Yona breathed as she put in the earrings. "How does it look?"

"Beautiful," Zeno whispered as he looked lovingly in Yona's eyes. They leaned closer and closer before-

BAM!

"Ohime-sama! It's time for the banquet," a servant shouted. "You're going to be late!"

Yona sighed as Zeno hid behind her wardrobe. "Alright. I'm coming-just wait."

The servant bowed before leaving.

"Ugh, I hate her," Zeno groaned. He smiled and quickly kissed Yona. "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you," Yona responded. She slowly left the room-glancing back tot he waving Zeno. She sighed in dismay and put up a smile at her father. "Otou-san, good evening."

"There's the birthday girl!" exclaimed King Hiryuu. "Happy Early 16th Birthday Yona!" He pulled her into a hug which she quickly responded to.

"Yona, there you are," Soo-won shouted as he sped towards the princess. "I have a gift for you that I wanted you to have immediately."

To this day, Yona was still wary of Soo-won. "Ah, Soo-won. Hello."

Soo-won grinned while handing her the simple box. "I hope you like it."

Hesitantly, Yona took the box and uncovered it to reveal a beautiful red and gold, floral hair pin. "Um, thank you. It is very beautiful."

"Oh ho, is Ohime-sama disappointed?"

Yona brightened as she quickly turned around to see her bodyguard. "Hak!" She ran to him and hugged him. "I thought you were still out on patrol!"

Hak hummed. "I was on patrol, but I saw something that just clicked with you." He put his hand through his combat kimono and revealed a scabbard with a hilt pointing out. "It seemed fitting with you."

Yona carefully grabbed it and Hak snickered. 'She treats the sword as glass, though she seems to be that frail.' Unsheathing the blade, Yona marveled at it. The dagger was a bit shorter than half a meter long=hilt to the tip of the blade. The hilt was leather black with a small pearl on its end. The blade shined and Yona stared at her amethyst eyes' reflection. "Thank you Hak! This is amazing!" She re-sheathed it and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Then, Soo-won and the King stepped back as Hak laughed. He wrapped his arms around her waist as his face seemed to darken.

"Well...is that so. I guess..that settles it," he chuckled-Yona being completely oblivious.

'He's super happy!' Soo-won and King Hiryuu thought simultaneously.

The banquet had ended and the exhausted Yona slowly crept to her room-eyes drooping in exhaustion.