Author's Note: I got internet again! Yay! And wow! Can't believe I am on Chapter 25! XD

TheAngelicPyro- No worries. I still greatly appreciate the review! :3 Hak is so brotherly now haha. And Zeno is just full of mysteries. And Skyrah too but she doesn't even really know. (Actually, now that I think about it. Zeno and Skyrah have that in common. They both didn't know about their abilities until later. hmm) Thanks again! :D

VampireSiren- Hehe. He is so confused. The poor guy. He really needs a good guy talk to figure out what it all means. but will he get it? And what will he do when he does realize his feelings for Skyrah? Oh~ I can't wait! Thanks again for supporting me! ^.^

Guest- I understand your frustration on how my OC is written and respect your opinion. Thank you for your input.

Enjoy!

Chapter XXV

I Volunteer

The moment we were back in camp was the moment that we had all rushed to the ship for a strategy meeting. I stood in the back, lingering close to Shin-Ah as we both listened to the conversation around us. It appeared that Yona had taken a trip to the village with Jae-Ha to scout around for more information on the enemy. They hadn't come back empty-handed. They had told us that the deal would be done in two days from today at sundown, causing the pirates around use to be concerned about it being so soon. It did not leave us a lot of time to prepare or do more training. I had somewhat improved but I still a far cry from a dual-wielding warrior.

I thought back to my meeting with Zeno. I found it strange that he hadn't come forth to be with the other dragons. We could have used his help. But something deep inside me told me that he was waiting to reveal himself to the others. And I had a feeling it was something to do with Yona.

"You got proof?" Captain Gigan asked him.

Jae-Ha smirked but it seemed grave, "I found a trafficking site that is posing as a regular store." I frowned thinking about how awful that was. I had never been involved in anything to do with human trafficking but I knew that it existed even in my old world. I heard about disappearing children all the time. It made me ticked off that people would do that to another. "They advertise high paying jobs for women. But when they show up looking for work they're taken captive. I had a guy ask how long they are taking applicants because he knew someone in desperate need. The owner told him that he would be willing to interview interesting young woman until noon two days from now. But absolutely no later than that."

I felt sick to my stomach and I looked at Yona. I couldn't help but feel dread in the pit of my stomach. Please, tell me she isn't thinking what I think she's thinking, I hoped inside of my head.

Jae-Ha continued, "Yang Kum-Ji is a greedy man. He will wait at the last second if he thinks there's a chance he might captor another beauty. Which means he'll wait to make that trade on that last day. My guess is that the ship will sail at night just after sundown."

Captain Gigan looked down as if in thought, "You are probably right. The only thing that concerns me is that we don't know which of his ships the girls will be on. "

"If we were on board with them," Yona started, causing me to feel the dread even more. "If we infiltrate the trafficking ring we can set off a firework or something while we're on board the girls' ship. That's the only we can do it without putting them in danger."

I looked down at my feet. Of course, she would say something like that. I felt myself curse in my head. I hated the idea of going undercover as a hostage in a human trafficking ring. But I hated the idea of Yona going even more. And I had a feeling that she was going to volunteer to go. My hands tightened into fists as I thought about it. Would I cower away while my friend risks her life? What kind of friend would that make me?

Damnit, I thought while grinding my teeth. I felt Shin-Ah's gaze on me but I remained silent as I continued to listen to the conversation.

"Good plan, but it's pretty risky," the Captain remarked as she stared at Yona. "No one's going to volunteer for that."

"I will," I found my mouth moving before I had a chance to really think it through. Well, shit. I guess I'm in it now. No turning back. Fuck my life. I knew that my fear of being touched. My past with my ex would make me more vulnerable. But I wasn't going to let my fear from protecting the people I cared most about. I would just have to deal with it for now. I hoped and prayed that my situation with Jae-Ha had helped me become aware of my fear enough to be able to overcome it enough to do this. I'd have to keep in mind that it was for Yona.

I felt all eyes on me as they all looked at me with their own shocked expressions. I bit my lip nervously as I tried to smile reassuringly at them all. Beside me, I felt Shin-Ah's gaze pierce me without me having to look at him. I knew immediately that he hated that I had volunteered myself. I understood his concern for me but I wasn't going to let Yona do it.

"I'm not sure you are up for the task," Jae-Ha spoke with concern for my well-being but did not mention my little episode the other day, which I really appreciated.

He and I were still on the mends. I was still wary of him and felt safest when I was either around Shin-Ah or Hak while I was with the other men in camp. But he had kept his word on not touching me. He would say a few flattering words but now that I didn't project my fear of my ex onto him, I was beginning to see how Jae-Ha really way. He was still a flirt and a womanizer. But Now I could see how much he cared. Even Shin-Ah and him seemed to be getting along better. The more I accepted Jae-Ha the more Shin-Ah seemed to. I was glad that the dragons were getting closer. I felt like that was how it was meant to be. Even my instinct of the nature of people was now back without me being clouded by the past. Therefore, I knew that Jae-Ha was good. But it would still take me some time to let myself be close to him in the way I was close to Shin-Ah, Hak, and Yun. I still wasn't quite there yet with Kija after all. But at least there was some progress.

"Yeah. Droopy Eyes is right for once," Hak agreed with him. That had shocked me. Hak agreed with him?

"They are right, Skyrah. Let me do it," Yona offered as she walked towards me and took my hands in hers. I didn't fight back from her touch. She was a girl and in no way reminded me of a certain person in my past. And I had grown to care so deeply for this girl. I regarded her as my sister. Plus, her touch was oddly calming.

I shook my head and grasped her own hands, "No way! That's exactly why I said I would! There's no way I am letting you be put in danger!" I felt oddly more frantic than I had ever remembered being. My fear of losing her was greater than my fear of being touched by another man. I guess this is what it felt like to love your friends to the point you'd do anything for them.

"You both shouldn't do it! It is far too dangerous for either of you!" Kija protested in panic and concern. Yona and I let our hands drop to our sides as we listened to our friends.

"Yeah. I'm with Kija," Yun added stepping towards us to be scolded, "In order to set off a firework, you got to smuggle enough gunpowder on board, escape captivity, get past the guards and officers, make it to the deck and the light and release the damn thing." He took a breath, "If you are caught, they're going to kill you. So, forget about it."

"And besides," Hak added, "The firework would have to make a big blast in order to get our attention while we are fighting. It'll take a lot of gunpowder. You wouldn't be able to smuggle enough on."

"Accurate," I told him. I turned to Shin-Ah, "But with Shin-Ah's eyes he would see it." I had complete faith that he would. That's right, I told myself. I wouldn't be in any real danger because I knew he would always come.

Shin-Ah's lips were in a thin line but he nodded his head, "Yeah." Was he trusting my ability to go through with this? I knew it must be hard for him. If the rules were reversed I would have done anything to stop him from doing something so reckless.

"I'm going to do this. No one can stop me," I said, "There is more than my own life at stake. I have to do this."

"That's right," Yona added, "Then we will go together. Skyrah and I will signal you." I was not overly pleased that she still wanted to go but I knew that fighting with her was a no go. Just like she knew that I wouldn't back down either. The only option was for us to both go.

"Don't do it," Yun pleaded with us.

I smiled at him to try to reassure him, "This is the only way that will work. Besides, I'm not completely a damsel in distress." I tried for a joke but my thoughts were on the fact that if I freaked out again like I did with Jae-Ha… No. I wouldn't think about that. I had Yona to protect. That was far more important.

Yona nodded her head in agreement, "We are both on the same page. We will fight with or without everyone's blessing." Her eyes held determination and unyielding willpower. This was no longer up for debate. We were going to do this no matter what the others said. We stood side by side waiting for Captain Gigan to say something.

"The young ladies' got a point," she finally said, surprisingly agreeing with us. "If this plan of their's work, we'll be able to save the captured women."

"Yeah but Captain-" Jae-Ha protested.

The Captain cut him off before he could continue, "That being said." She looked at the both of us, "It be suicide for you both to go without someone else as backup." She sort of had a point. But we were the only girls on board the ship. "You're going to need at least one more volunteer in order for this mission to be a success. And they must be able to pass as a beautiful woman." I had to bite back a laugh after Hak and Kija offered to do it. They were not going to pass at all. She had to explain to them that they wouldn't be able to pass as beautiful women. As if she even needed to. Even Jae-Ha had volunteered! "There ain't nothing feminine about any of ya." She was right on the money on that one. The thought was ridiculous. "But there is one gent on this ship that has just the right amount of girlish charm," she turned her eyes on Yun. I looked in his direction and tilted my head. Now that she mentioned it, he could pass as a girl if we gave him a dress and makeup on. Yun stood frozen in place as everyone's eyes were on him. "You know how to handle explosives. And you'd look good in a dress."

"Whoa. Whoa. Hold on," he said, putting his arms up, "I've realized that I'm much prettier and attractive than the average female. I mean," he did a pose, "Come on. Look at me." He went back to normal, "But my being there won't change anything. I told you. I'm not a fighter. Even Skyrah is a better fighter than me." My eye twitched, trying not to take it as an insult. "I won't be able to protect them. They will be in as much danger with or without me."

"I wouldn't exactly say that," I said to him, causing him to look at me. I smiled at him, "I'm not smart like you are. What if we ran into trouble and needed a way out?" I shook my head, "I'd feel safer with you there having my back. And I'm sure the others would as well."

Yona nodded her head, "She's right. I would feel better with you with me."

Yun blushed, looking away, "Fine. I'll go with you both so don't have to do it on your own."

"Thanks!" Yona and I said in unison with big smiles.

"Like I wasn't busy enough!" Yun complained as he had turned around, "Now I got to make a firework and babysit the two of you too." He paused before turning back to look at us, "Yona. Skyrah. You can count on me. I will do anything in my power to protect the both of you."

"P'Kyuu," Ao squeaked from Yona's shoulder in what I took as gratitude.

I was really touched by his words. I hoped he wouldn't have to though. I hoped that it was me that would protect them. I didn't want any harm to come to the two of them. They were very dear to me. To my surprise, Shin-Ah moved towards Yun and nodded to him. It was like he was trusting Yun with my safety. I couldn't help but smile at the fact that Shin-Ah had also become quite close with our friends. He was now starting to trust them to keep me safe. It made my heart feel warm and fuzzy.

"The trade's going down in two days," Captain Gigan said as she stood up from her sitting position, "So our undercover operation will start tomorrow." In a booming voice, she added, "Alright, Ladies! It's time to come up with a plan!"

There was a chorus of 'Aye, Aye' from multiple pirates.

We were really going to go through with this. There was no going back. I vowed I would keep my friends safe. I looked at Shin-Ah as he was looking down at me. I also had to remember that I had to get back to him. I had to stay alive to see his face again. To be able to stay by his side. I had plenty of motivation to get me through this mission. By the feeling I got when he looked down at me, I knew that he wanted to talk to me. Tonight we would say our 'see you later'. I couldn't believe this would be my first real time away from him since meeting him.