Rensa's P.O.V.

It had taken her a long time to crawl over to a tree, and then even longer to struggle to her foot. Her hands were still bound and were starting to swell. She studied the distance between the tree she used for balance and the next tree she needed to make her way to if she was going to fight her way back to the village.

After wallowing in her self-pity for a while, she decided to get up and get herself out of the tough situation. She was going back to the village and was going to fight if they wanted to get rid of her again. She no longer wanted to live in the background. She wanted them to know she was there, and know she was strong, and know she wanted to help and support them. And she wanted to see Jae-ha. She wanted him to tell her more stories, and she wanted to see the world more like he did. Even where she was alone among the trees, once she was up and trying to get back, she noticed the trees were vibrant shades of green with velvety-rough trunks, and the sun made the wild grass seem to dance in the warm light. It was beautiful. She wished she could share it with him. So she made the leap and hopped on one foot, tripping over a rock and stumbling into the next tree. She groaned, making it back on foot was going to take an exhaustingly long time.

She did not know how far she had gone by the time the sun was high in the sky and heading towards the evening hours, but strange sounds made her paused in her endeavors. There were many snaps of twigs breaking and leaves rustling. She gasped and sunk down, hoping to hide from whatever was coming. She covered her mouth to keep from breathing too loud and wriggled yourself around the tree to keep herself out of sight. Her leg was sore and her whole body hurt from the way she had been tossed around and dropped. She could not feel her hands anymore because of the tight rope cutting off the blood flow to her hands, which were a purplish color.

"You said she was here." A familiar high pitched voice accused. "Where is she."

"I swear, this was where we left her this morning. Or at least somewhere around here." One of the male voices she had heard from that morning replied defensively.

She gasped again when she realized the villagers were looking for her. What were they going to do? Were they going to hurt her? She curled up and prayed she would not be noticed.

"Zeno does not see anyone. Is it possible the girl was taken by others?"

Rensa paused in her panic. Zeno was there? Why was he with a villager? She carefully moved to peek around the trunk to see if she could catch a glimpse of the group, but could not see them from where she sat.

"There are no other towns for hundreds of miles."

Another loud sound crashed in front of her, followed by a thump. She whipped back around and saw familiar dark blue fabric and white boots. She raised her eyes and found Jae-ha standing in front of her.

She smiled with relief and allowed herself to relax against the tree trunk.

Shin-ah was also sitting on the ground with his bottom lip pushed out in a pout. Glancing between the two men, Rensa guessed Jae-ha had been carrying him and dropped him when they hit the ground.

"How did you guys find me?" She asked softly.

Jae-ha crouched in front of her. "We had a villager lead us, and then Shin-ah was the one who saw you." He replied just as soft as her, and carefully held out a hand for her to take, as if afraid to scare her, or that she would reject him. She raised both hands to rest her palm against his and his fingers curled around her hand. With his other hand he slid a blade from his sleeve and cut the rope from around her hands

"Are you alright?" He inquired, looking her up and down for injuries.

"Yes. But I can't stand anymore. I need your help." She whispered as she stared right into his eyes.

A soft smile played at the edges of his lips as he slipped his arms around her back and under her legs. He lifted her with him as he stood. She was comfortable and felt safe in his strong arms she knew could lift her with ease. Her head started to hurt and her eyes began to droop closed, not wanting to open when she tried to force them too. Suddenly exhausted, she rested her head against his shoulder and quickly fell asleep.

When she woke up, she wasn't sure what time it was and it took her rubbing her eyes to see clearly to let her know that she was back at home. The only difference from the norm was the crowded room. Jae-ha sat next to her with Yona's head laying in his lap.

Kija and Shin-ah were asleep sitting up by the door and Yun was laying on the floor next to a sprawled out Zeno, where Yona usually slept. She tried to shift into a sitting position but her body protested with sharp, sore pains, so she stayed laying wrapped in several warm blankets.

Jae-ha stirred next to her and opened eyes that were droopy with tiredness. He brushed his bangs away from the one eye they covered and tilted his head to look at her. He seemed surprised when he found her watching him.

"Good Morning." She greeted quietly, as to not wake the others.

"'Morning." He mumbled back. "How long have you been awake?"

"Just for a few minutes." She replied. "I was disoriented. I'm glad to be home though. Thanks for saving me." Rensa smiled warmly, as she blinked she suddenly saw him in a newer light than before, even though her surroundings were dim. She trusted him, relied on him, and even found him attractive. She liked talking to him, learning about him, and hearing his stories.

He smiled back, though his was more relieved. "I couldn't just let them leave you like that."

Their conversation did wake Yona, who sat up with wild hair that was wilder than normal. She yawned and then greeted Rensa.

"Sorry for waking you."

"That's alright, I think we should all get up now." She called out, effectively pulling her comrades from their slumber as well.

A cacophony of good morning greetings slurred from everyone else and they stood to prepare for the day. Yun groaned as he walked out the door, saying something about getting breakfast ready.

"How are you feeling?" Yona asked.

"Sore, but that was because I was hurt. I'll be-"

She was cut off by Jae-ha slamming a hand against the floor. "They hurt you?!" He demanded.

Surprised she looked him in the eyes again. "Not in the way you're thinking. They just tossed me around, that's all. I landed wrong a few times…" She explained.

Jae-ha growled and glared at the door. "I ought to find them and throw them around."

Yona sighed and placed a firm hand on his shoulder, restraining him, though Rensa knew Jae-ha could easily leave if he wanted to, he was stronger than Yona after all. "Jae-ha was worried about you."

Rensa slowly nodded her understanding.

Yona turned and stared into Jae-ha's eyes, catching his full attention. "I think you should stay here. You can't beat up people without reason-"

"I have a reason, they tried to get rid of her, Yona." He was obviously angry about what had happened to her. Rensa was hurt, but she had made her decision because of the experience, she wished he knew that. He would be less angry if he knew her thoughts.

"That may be, but we brought her back. Unless they try to hurt her again, I don't want you getting into a fight." Yona commanded.

She was silent through their conversation, not wanting to interrupt. She watched them carefully as Jae-ha leaned towards Yona, taking in her words. "Stay here with her."

Jae-ha dropped his gaze, pouting. "Fine."

With that, Yona stood and left.

The girl sounded regal, and like she was meant to command and inspire, it was fascinating to watch the interactions between the Crimson King and the four Dragon Warriors. She wondered how Hak and Yun fit in, though that was just a passing thought.

They sat in silence for long moments, Jae-ha stared at the door and Rensa watched him. She contemplated asking him if he had feelings for Yona, but thought better of it. Then decided to go ahead and ask. "Are you in love with her?"

His attention immediately snaps to her. "With who?"

She was surprised and flattered that he would pay such rapt attention to her. "Yona."

He blinked once before answering. "No. Does it seem like I am?"

"Sometimes, with how you speak so highly of her, and the way you two spoke just now." Rensa explained, feeling a little sheepish… and awkward.

He nodded, as if he could see why she would think such a thing. "As you've probably guessed, she is the Crimson Dragon King of the legends. We Dragon Warriors are bound to her, we are supposed to serve and protect her… Yet she is not weak, and desires to keep us safe too." The smile that spread onto his face was one of fondness. His purple eyes sparked, even through the long fringe that hung to cover the one side. He was attractive, she had thought so when they had first met, that is, before he opened his mouth. The other women in the village had thought so too.

He must have had women falling all over him wherever he went. She hadn't, because she was independant and on top of that didn't like him before she learned to. She briefly remembered how he had flirted with the village women before she literally stumbled into the conversation. He was a flirt and was following a girl. She did not understand how he did not have feelings for her. "How do you know the difference between your connection with her and love?"

He pondered that question for a time, and she let him as she gathered the strength to sit up and shift to lean against the wall.

"Because it's my decision." He said with a finality, he knew the answer and she could tell it was true. "I made the decision to follow her, but I am no servant. I am free to leave, yet I don't want to. It is my decision if I love her, and I don't."

Rensa did not understand what he had gone through to warrant such a firm sense of freedom, but she agreed with where she was coming from. It was his choice, and it was her choice. They were free, even if at times it did not feel like it.

"Why are you suddenly asking me questions like these?" He asked curiously and a little suspiciously, like he suspected her of having feelings for someone. Though his eyes were suddenly guarded and not quite into the teasing. Rensa's eyes narrowed with her own observations.

"I just wanted to know, I guess. I've been asking questions about you since… yesterday?" She did not know what day it was, since her ordeal she was slightly turned around.

"Good point… I haven't asked you anything, have I?" He asked teasingly.

Rensa grinned. "That counts as one."

Jae-ha laughed. "I know that. But can I ask you a few things?" He became serious again.

Rensa nodded, feeling a little anxious, but she was willing to answer honestly.

"What is the story about your leg?"

She should have known that would be the question he would ask, and she was afraid to relive the accident, but would be honest. He would know the whole truth, that's more than most people would know.

Author Note: Thanks for reading, and I hope you are enjoying the story! I am having a lot of fun writing it. I try to update every Friday, so stay tuned for coming chapters! Remember to smile and be happy! ~Author

Annual Disclaimer: I do not own the Yona of the Dawn (Akatsuki no Yona) anime or manga. I do own the characters and my own story that I added. Thanks!