Chapter 14: Hakuryuu Kija

Wide blue eyes woke with a start. The flame within his soul sparked and flickered with joy. Something was happening. Something that would make to very special. Lifting the white dragon claw on his right arm, it didn't throb or give any indication that something was going on. As he stood from his bed and pushed the double shutters to his window open, he found that it was as normal as any other day in his village.

Pulling his sleeping yukata off of his body, revealing three scars on his back, the young man with the dragon claw and silver hair sponge bathed his body to rid him of the sweat and grim from his sleep. His dreams had been heavy with thoughts from his ancestors. He could feel their spirits cling to him during the day and drain him of energy. He was trying to hold them back, to keep them from turning into vengeful spirits; but the burden was almost too much. He, like them, longed to search and find their mast whom he could serve dutifully.

Most mornings he didn't wish to leave his home, training or no. Today felt different though. Dressing in a simple blue kimono with white around his waist and large bell-like sleeves, he placed a hand to his chest when he sensed something. Closing his eyes, he thought perhaps it was one of his brothers. Suddenly a gasp left his lips. Ryokuryuu , Seiryuu and...Ouryuu? His brothers were near. Were they traveling together? Excitement filled the twelve year old Hakuryuu's soul.

Turning away, he ran down the stairs from his private chambers. "Grandmother!" he cried out excitedly.

The old woman who had fallen asleep upon the raised chair platform suddenly was wide awake as an exuberant Hakuryuu came down from his chambers. True, he called her grandmother; though it was more like great great grandmother, as both her son and his son had died before the currents father had even been three years of age. Grandmother just sounded so much better than great great grandmother, plus the other was such a mouthful. She smiled as the young man stopped in front of her. "They've come!" he practically yelled with excitement. "We need to prepare for a feast. Musicians and dancers too!" His eyes we wide with joy.

"Calm down." her old voice sounded. It creaked just like her old bones. Her assistants looked at her with matching faces, two sets of triplets were rare after all. "Who is here?"

A wide grin was plastered on the boy's face as he looked up at her from his thoughts as he spoke softly with tears of joy in his eyes. "My brothers."

Shin-ah's eyes widened as they were led into the village. It was quite large, with a stream going through the center of it and a waterfall at the back of it. Large trees covered the village, giving it a nice serene look. A large well was dug in the center of the village where women were left laughing and gossiping. Children ran around laughing with joy as they played games in the middle of the streets.

As the archers returned early, people began to turn and look at the newcomers. Eyes widening as Jae-ha and Shin-ha, who were sharing a horse, passed by them. Words began to be echoed amongst them. "Lord Ryokuryuu?" "Lord Seiryuu?" Shin-ah couldn't understand why these people called them these names, other than the fact that they were descendants of the original warriors that had served King Hiryuu two millennia's ago.

Tapping his brothers should caused Jae-ha to look behind him at Shin-ah. "Why are they calling us that?" he inquired.

Jae-ha gave a sigh. "It's because of what we are. The dragon blood in our veins." he stated sounding slightly annoyed. "We're not lords." Shin-ah nodded in understanding. He had thought so, but it still felt odd to hear it.

When they came to the center of the village, they dismounted their horses. Young men came and took the beasts, to feed and water them. Shin-ah looked at Hak and Su-won, the later seeming to be in awe of the size of the village that was hidden away from the world around it. It was then that an old woman on a platform was brought forward. The village elder? Shin-ah wondered as the woman's tired eyes looked at them, seeming to be inspecting the two of them.

"Who are you?" she inquired. Harmen went to answer when she gave him a frightful glare.

"I'm Shin-ah." the blue haired boy answered. "This is Jae-ha, my brother." who waved at the older woman before Shin-ah then pointed at the two others. "That is Son Hak, grandson to Chief of the wind, Son Mundok. The other is Lord Su-won, nephew to King Il." he saw the old woman's eyes widen as she undoubtably knew who these people were.

"I have been told you two are stating you are Ryokuryuu and Seiryuu." she smiled at Shin-ah. "I can see your golden eyes and the red markings on your cheeks. They mark you as the Seiryuu." she looked at Jae-ha. "You on the other hand..."

"I'm honored to meet a beautiful elder as yourself." Jae-ha told her causing the older woman's cheeks to redden. "However, I'll explain why my leg; which really is green, is covered." he said with a gentle voice. "People out there are very judgemental and I wish to go unnoticed."

"Something he fails at." Hak mumbled softly with a grin, gaining more than a few chuckles.

Jae-ha pushed his fringe out of his eyes, revealing that his eyebrows matched his hair as did his eyes. "It's hard to go unnoticed as it is." he pointed at his hair. "I was born as the Ryokuryuu, something I've seen as a curse; but a curse is live with." People gave gasps at the way he spoke of being Ryokuryuu. "I was not raised in such a lovely village as this one. The only reason you're meeting us is because of our master." Loud gasps occurred.

"Y-Your master?" The elder inquired. Could it be true? Was Hiryuu here? Her eyes scanned the young men, but saw that neither had red hair.

"She's been having nightmares and had a deep sense that Hakuryuu may have been in danger." Jae-ha stated, his eyes taking on a dangerous look. "I may hate what I am, but if anyone harms those who share my fate; I'll make them wish they'd never been born." His voice sounding dark and deadly.

This boy is not one to cross. The elder thought as she smiled at his words. "Surely the legends are true then." she said speaking softly.

"Huh?" the young teen inquired with a quirk of a brow.

"It was said, by the first Hakuryuu, that Ryokuryuu was the most protective of the four warriors." she explained. "Our ancestor left several scrolls on the other warriors. From their names to how they reacted to each other." she eyed his leg causing Jae-ha to move it back. "Lord Hakuryuu." she called gently causing the young man to come rushing out from hiding.

Jae-ha groaned. He had been hoping for another near his age or maybe one older than himself. Of course, I get stuck with children. he grumbled mentally.

"I am Hakuryuu. I am so happy to get to meet you in my lifetime." he said sounding very excited.

Jae-ha saw Hak smirking at the boy. "If you're happy to meet them, wait until you meet the Princess." he said with a growing smirk. "She just loves these two."

Kija flushed. "L-Love?" He stuttered.

"She mostly loves Shin-ah." Jae-ha said with a brush-off attitude.

Kija looked at Shin-ah. "Yona gave me my name." was his only answer causing the white haired boy's jaw to drop.

"What's your actual name?" Su-won inquired causing the new boy to look at him with a surprise look.

He gave a light laugh. It'd been a long time since anybody had called him by his name. "Kija. My name is Kija."

M-Angel: Since it's been a week since I updated, I thought I'd start the week off with this. I'll update my Time story later this evening.