Chapter 26: Proof of Strength

Jae-ha landed on the green plateau. "Yona, that's the vanishing cape that's ahead." The waves crashed heavily upon the rocks below the cliff. The salted sea sprayed into the air causing the water crystals to dance in the sunlight which caused a minor rainbow to appear. "What do you want to do?" Go home. He thought. You don't belong here. I don't want to watch over you! "If you want to turn back, now is your only chance."

Yona's eyes scanned the cliff, the small ledge that could be her only way down but the waves could rush at her and she'd be swept away. A steep cliff. Powerful, constant waves that smash against equally powerful rocks. Yona began to think of a plan to get down the ledge without falling.

Jae-ha took her silence as her being too afraid to speak. The sight of this could make anyone freeze up.

Suddenly the sound of a smack filled the air causing Jae-ha to jump slightly. Yona had smacked her cheeks with her hands in order to get herself pumped. Ao, popped out of her spot in Yona's hood to see the commotion but quickly hid once seeing the cliffside. "Alright!"

Yona walked forward, grasping the cliff edge and pressing herself against it, she began moving slowly down the small pathway. This is an unstable foothold that can only hold one person. It'll be alright. She thought to herself, even as her breathing increased. Captain Gi-Gan gave me this task that's suited for someone small, like me. The wind picked up suddenly, wrapping around Yona. Her feet kicked a stone which fell and caused her to look down. My feet won't move. If I fall, I'll die. Her body began to tremble. I'm scared. The shaking didn't stop, it only increased as she forced herself to move. I'm crying. I can't stop. I'm so scared! Zeno. Hak.

Jae-ha recalled what his predecessor said about the red haired master. That he'd be a prisoner. A slave to that person because of the blood in his veins. He had imagined a smug, pompous bastard to come for him but instead - I'm faced with a fragile girl with no special power of her own. My blood knew who she was. But I can't believe it. Why?! Can this frail, trembling young girl who struggling in front of me truly be that person? Is she truly our master?

"Yona…You don't have to force yourself." Worry began to eat away at him. "If you're scared, come back. The captains gave you an impossible task. You won't be able to fight Kum-ji with us-" Come back. His mind whispered.

Shaking her head, Yona sobbed. "I won't turn back. I'll be fine! If I can't do something this easy…" sob "I won't be able to fine Captain Gi-Gan or my friends" Ao rubbed her cheek in comfort against Yona's.

Jae-ha couldn't believe what he was hearing. She is still shaking and sobbing. So why? Why is she still going? She's just a powerless girl!

"If I think about it as if Hak, Zeno or anyone of my friends are hurt and only I can get the medicine they need to survive…" Yona sniffled a bit her eyes no longer watering but now had determination in them. "If I think about it like that, I can do anything!"

Then it hit him. "Are you scared that you'll lose someone?"

Yona stayed silent for only a moment. "I am. That is my greatest fear. I also don't want to see anyone weeping because they lost someone and I could've helped."

Her desire to not lose anyone is making her push forward on those shaking legs. He realized. She's doing this for the people of Awa who are being terrorized by Kum-ji. He gave a snorted laugh. She reminds me of those stupid pirates.

"Um, Jae-ha?" Her voice brought him back to the here and now. "Are you coming with me?"

It was the he realized that he had indeed unconsciously followed her onto the hidden ledge. "Oh, uh, well… Just halfway." He felt embarrassed for having not realized that he had been following her.

Yona turned her head to look at him over her shoulder. "Thank-you."

Jae-ha felt heat rise over his cheeks. As she pushed onward Jae-ha felt a longing fill him. Why? Why do I want to hear your voice? Why do I want to stay close to you? His eyes closed. I feel it even more strongly now than when we first met. Ugh! That bloods influence over me is so aggravating. "Here's where I stop." The path becoming to narrow for him to follow.

Suddenly Ao jumped from her perch on Yona before looking back at her. The path is even more treacherous than before! Her leggs wobbled. Keep going feet! We're almost there! Just a little further! If I overcome this fear, I know I'll get closer to the strength that I want. She suddenly came to a small ledge outcropping with a tree. The hollow of the tree was open. Ao ran inside ahead of her.

Pushing passed the vines, Yona saw the groupings of flowers inside. Scooping a bundle up, she ignored the pain from the thistles on the plants root system. Relief filled her. Thank goodness I managed to make it here! Determind to get back before dusk, Yona tied the flowers that she'd placed in a bag to her dress. "Let's go Ao." As soon as she exited the cave though she felt an ominous feeling come over her. A sucking sound then could be heard.

"Are you okay, Yona?" Jae-ha's voice called out.

"Yes." She stated as she grasped a vine as she began to look for the path she'd come in on. Seeing it, the feeling hit her again followed by a fwoosh sound. "Jae-ha, get out of here!" She cried out as she realized what was happening.

Jae-ha watched in horror as suddenly a wall of water hit the cliffside. The spot Yona had been standing at was empty. She was gone!

M-Angel: Ugh! I'm so sorry for not posting sooner. As always life has been hectic. I go to work and get home after an 8 hr shift and because I'm so tired afterwards I fall asleep in a chair. Today is my day off, so I finally got to do a few things I wanted to do without being too tired to do them. Hence the new chapter. I've begun rewatching both Naruto and Yona. So I'm hoping I'll get inspired to write more.

Side note: Is Ao male or female? I've seen it written both ways, but I'd like to be accurate.