Chapter 4: Warning

Zeno stalked the halls of the palace in servant clothes. After finding Yona crying, he had taken her back to her room and laid out new clothes for her to wear. He then told her not to allow anyone inside and left her to speak to someone important. Peering around a corner into the garden where the princesses party was occurring, Zeno looked through the crowd until he saw who he was looking for. The young man, Son Hak and Yona's cousin, Su-won who both sat near General Son Mundok. Walking over to the general, Zeno poured him some more sake before he spoke.

"Do you remember Zeno, general?" he inquired as he looked at the seated general.

Neither of the boys seemed to hear Zeno as he spoke. "Of course." Mundok answered as he eyed the youthful man next to him.

"Zeno asked you to ensure Princess Yona was safe by having Mister protect her." Zeno grew serious as he looked at the older man. "You have failed this." If looks could kill, Zeno had a look in his eyes that would have melted the general in his place. He went to respond only for Zeno to continue. "You are forcing Zeno to reveal himself sooner than need be. Little Miss is being hurt by those around her. Ouryuu is angry about this."

"Hak is being trai-" Mundok began but was stopped by Zeno.

"Too late." Zeno then stood up and left Mundok where he was. There was one thing Zeno wouldn't allow and that was incompetence that would lead to his King being hurt.

Returning to Yona's side, he found her waiting in her room. Upon calling a young servant girl into the room, Zeno asked her to dress Yona in an undamaged kimono dress. The young girl didn't seem to bat an eye at the request, revealing to Zeno at how often this occurred. This both angered and saddened him even further. His King didn't deserve this.

Zeno wanted to steal her away and take her somewhere safer, but he knew the trouble this would cause. He also knew he couldn't contact his brothers yet. Ryokuryuu was defiant in that he never wanted his freedom taken away from him ever again. Hakuryuu was so protected and if Yona was seen by the villagers she would be worshipped as a god. Seiryuu was in a somewhat similar position as Yona. So it wouldn't be good to contact them; yet.

This meant that Ouryuu Zeno had to make an appearance, but how? Zeno could see a few ways he could reveal himself to King Il, who undoubtedly would left him protect Yona if it meant keeping her safe. Zeno's thoughts were derailed as Yona came out of her room in a pretty royal purple kimono with tiny red flowers embroidered into the material. Her hair was tied up, revealing her pretty little face. Holding out his hand, he led Yona to her party.

Zeno found a good spot to wait after the party was over. Yona had acted as if nothing was wrong after finding Hak and Su-won, but Zeno had noticed her smiles were a bit forced. She was pretending to be happy, but she was truly sad. Once the party was over King Il retired to his private rooms. Zeno waited up in the rafters until the King was by himself. Upon jumping out of his hiding place, he found himself on the other end of the King's sword.

"Zeno means no harm to the King," he said before his voice became serious. "however, Ouryuu Zeno is very upset with his majesty."

Il's eyes widened. "Ouryuu?" he questioned in disbelief.

"Little Miss has been mistreated by those you have placed around her." Zeno's eyes narrowed at him. "Zeno cannot allow this to continue to happen. Remove them or Zeno will remove her from your possession."

Il thrust his sword forward, causing Zeno to grasp the blade. Blood dripped down the blade. "I won't let you touch my daughter!" Zeno removed his hand from the blade and showed Il his hand. Il's eyes widened as he watched muscle and skin repair itself in an instant before golden scales covered the once bleeding wound.

"As Ouryuu it's my duty to ensure she lives, and if that means I must remove her from your care;" Zeno stated as his anger became more apparent. "so be it."

Il dropped his sword, which clanged to the ground. He didn't want to believe it, at first; but now that he had seen the young man heal instantly...Ouryuu. This boy was Ouryuu. One of the four dragon warriors of myth and legend. That was when Il's mind realized that if this boy was Ouryuu, then that meant his beloved daughter truly was being hurt by someone. "Who is hurting my child?"

Zeno felt relief that Il wasn't going to call his bluff in taking Yona from the palace but instead believed him that she was being abused in some way or form. He knew Il was a believer, otherwise he would never have married Lady Kashi. Zeno sighed before telling the King exactly what Yona had told him, along with seeing the bruises on her arms. It was now up to his majesty to correct a wrong. "If her companions are returned to her and young Hak is made her guardian, Zeno will leave." Il seemed to want to say no on this. "Otherwise Zeno will still remove her."

King Il knew the boy could probably take Yona any way and Il would never find her. The four dragons had hidden themselves away for centuries without being detected by anyone. This meant they were experts in making themselves and others disappear. "I will talk to General Mundok about his grandson becoming Yona's guardian."

"Good." Zeno turned to leave. "I'll be watching." He warned as he climbed out of the open window and made a mad dash across the King's private gardens, vanishing into the night.

M-Angel: Sorry that I have been MIA on this story. I have been working on my Bleach stories; mostly Double Trouble. I will try to keep up with this story.