Chapter 7: Sweet Sixteen

Over the next three years Zeno spent a lot of time running errands for his friend Ogi. Nothing illegal. Just finding out information about one country of another. Claims of human trafficking in the earth tribe. Rumors of a drug that disabled it's users in the water tribe. There were rumors of a flying young man in the earth that Zeno knew was Ryokuyuu and a blue haired demon in the northern fire tribe that he knew was Seiryuu. He thought it was funny how Hakuyuu never seemed to be apart of the rumors he was looking into.

Returning to Kuuto, Zeno made a beeline for the palace where he went into through the old catacombs that were under it. Once inside, he placed servant clothes on his body and search for Little Miss. He found her easily in the training hard with her cousin and Mister. He noticed how big young Hak had gotten over the last few years. He had truly grown into the young man that Zeno knew he'd become. The same could be said about Su-won, except there seemed to be something different about him. He seemed a bit enthusiastic about something. That something made a pit grow in Zeno's stomach.

As Zeno examined Yona, he could see that she had grown into the beautiful young woman he'd known she'd become. It made Zeno feel nostalgic as he looked at her. He could see Hiryuu in her every movement. She looked like him, but not at the same time. He followed the three friends throughout the day. As night fell, Yona went to talk to her cousin only to get frightened by a strange man. Zeno followed the man that had scared her but found that he had vanished into the night. Zeno didn't like that at all. It didn't bode well with him.

At the party the next day, Zeno watched Yona from afar. He never really took his eyes off of her or the young Prince. Su-won's actions seemed deliberate that afternoon, with the light flirtation with Yona telling her how he loved her hair and that it reminded him of the dawn. Zeno felt his eyes roll at those words. Later that evening, Zeno noticed a lot of the guards falling asleep or getting drunk very easily. It was the that Zeno realized what he had been sending all day long. He quickly ran through the palace yard, through corridors and froze when he saw Yona standing still at her father's rooms. Lightning struck, and Zeno saw the figures in the doorway. Su-won had killed King Il. Being too far away from them, Zeno didn't hear what what was said between the two cousins. He did notice when Yona ran.

He had no idea why she ran for the barracks, other than to find help. Zeno watched as a role went around her and stopped the princess. Su-won appeared with his people who were telling him to kill the young princess. Reaching into his clothes Zeno pulled a dagger and pressed it into his palm. Suddenly men were screaming as Hak appeared like a whirlwind and began to fight off the traitors. He kneeled by Yona to make sure she was alright. She then told him that Il was dead and that Su-won was the cause to which her cousin did not deny.

Zeno saw the moment that Hak's mind went into a rage. Su-won and he fought. Sword against spear. Strikes of light could be seen through the now downpour of rain. Zeno saw the training soldiers to to grab Yona as another by the sky general suddenly pulled back his bow, an arrow ready to take Yona's life.

Zeno cut his right hand up to his elbow. His healing ability activated, followed by golden scales covering arm. During his face down his neck, the same thing happened. Zeno then ran out into the yard. As Su-won jumped back, Hak watched in horror as the arrow flew past him. Turning he saw a young man appear out of nowhere in front of Yona. The arrow bounced off of his raised arm.

"Mister, get Missy out of here!" Those words got Hak to move from his shocked stance.

Zeno punched a young soldier in the face before the order came for someone to grab him. Zeno turned towards those men, grasped a fallen sword and ran at them. Punching one, kicking another and crushing the skull of a third with the hilt of the sword, Zeno took off in the direction of an open gate.

M-Angel: Yay! Two chapters done in one night! Hope you guys enjoyed them! ^_^