Chapter 17: Dragon Mountain

Standing at the base of the mountain that Zeno had led their group to, Yona found herself starring up at it in awe. She hadn't imagined that her country had such tall and majestic looking mountains. The top shone like a diamond with the center being a beautiful emerald green. Surrounding the mountain were misty clouds. It was just so beautiful.

"According to the locals," Yun began as he stepped next to Yona. "this mountain is known as Dragon Mountain."

"Hakuyuu's presence might be the reason." Zeno stated as he began walking towards the hidden trail that he remembered using over the years when checking upon his younger brother. His two younger companions followed him with Hak taking up the rear.

Yona looked behind her towards Hak, taking notice of the beads of sweat upon his brow. He's pushing himself again. She realized that he did this quite often. It wasn't like he was hurt though. So that meant it was exhaustion. Touching the string of the bow that was against her chest. She wondered if she should ask for a rest so she could practice her aim and shots. Over the two weeks it had taken them to get where they were she had been practicing every night when most were sleeping.

Zeno suddenly stopped causing Yun to bump into him. "Wha-" The youth began when an arrow whizzed passed his head.

Hak suddenly grabbed Yona by the arm. Pressed her against a nearby tree. Turning back around he prepared for the unseen enemy to appear. Unable to see through the thick fog, Hak was ready for a sneak attack. His acute hearing picked up the sound of branches creaking, the wind gently blowing and nearby breathing. Spinning his weapon in the air above him, Hak created a wind tunnel effect with it and the surrounding trees. The fog dissipated instantly; meaning it was man made. Above were a dozen men with bows and arrows.

Zeno stepped forward and spoke. "Is this how Hakuyuu treats his brother?" Zeno feigned hurt. "Ouryuu Zeno is sad now."

"LORD OURYUU!?" The group of men yelled out in surprise, an accidental arrow flew out by mistake and Yona's scream echoed in the morning air.

Lord Hiryuu please come, please oh please come back! A young white haired man prayed silently within his mind. Even though this young man was no older than eighteen his hair was pure white, like the first winter snow. Scales adorned his right hand. It was obvious from that alone as to who this youth was.

"Lord Hakuryuu, are you listening to me?" the rattled old voice of his grandmother spoke. The young Hakuyuu warrior looked behind himself at the tiny old woman with slight fear in his eyes."You are a young man who is of age to be married! Any woman in the village would be happy to bare you an heir!"

Hakuyuu felt sick and turned back towards the window. OH PLEASE COME BACK LORD HIRYUU! He mentally prayed louder.

His grandmother sighed in defeat. It had been like this for weeks. For now she would change the subject. Old ears perked up suddenly as one of her six assistants whispered something into her ear.

Hakuyuu, not seeing this was brought out of his mental prayers when he heard women and children yelling out in excitement out his window. Looking out he saw the people rushing towards the center of the village. "Grandmother, why are the people so excited this morning?" He looked suspiciously at the old woman. He wouldn't put it past her to gather the beautiful young women for him to choose a wife over.

"Oh," she began as she sat back into her elevated chair. "From what I hear a lost brother has come for a visit with a special guest." A slow grin spread across her face as Hakuyuu turned towards her with a curious look.

"Lost brother?" he asked. "One of the villagers got lost!?" He hadn't been told about this!

His grandmother did a mental facepalm at this. She supposed that would've been her first guess as well had she not been told. Shaking her head slowly, she explained. "Lord Ouryuu is here."

Hakuyuu's eyes widened in surprise. Finally, finally he would meet one of his brothers! He stopped his excitement immediately. Why can't a sense him though? Ouryuu had always been the hardest for him to sense. Seiryuu, he could sense bounced between the northern mountains and valleys. Ryokuyuu, was sometimes hard to find as well but he usually was near a port or large waterway village. However, in all his years of life he had only sensed Ouryuu twice! His eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Are we certain it's him?"

Grandmother knew he wouldn't believe. "Well, he is traveling with a red hair young woman."

His eyes widened before anger seeped into every pore. How dare they! How dare another fake come waltzing into his village! They had seen them before. Young men or women who dyed their hair and claimed to be Hiryuu's reincarnation. It was obvious to him this was another fake! His claw expanded with his anger as he made his way through his home and out into the village. He was seeing red with his anger. How dare this fake use one of his brothers images to get into the village. He would expose the fake and-

A woman's laughter made Hakuyuu freeze up. By the tree in the center of the village he saw a blonde haired man with a bloodied sleeved shirt. His left arm was covered from wrist to elbow in golden scales with one of the village elders examining it. The bloodied sleeve was rolled up for anybody to see that scales. However, it wasn't his brother that had his attention; it was the red haired young woman standing next to him. Her laughter was like tiny bells wringing in his ears. Her violet eyes turned towards him and suddenly pain erupted from his arm. A voice rang out in his mind but he couldn't hear the words as the pain in his claw was like torture. His blood rushed through his body and as he fell forward and unconsciousness began to claim him, as he saw both the unknown woman and his brother run forward to help him.

M-Angel: Finally had enough time to update this story. Sorry for the delay. I was very busy with work for the last month. We went through a new employer exchange 2 weeks ago, as our business got sold. I am also in the middle of packing and moving. I also just quit my job yesterday. So yeah, lots of stuff going on. I hope you liked the chapter. Kija is finally here!